The Passion of Music

Name: The Passion of Music
Genre: Documentary
Released: 2018-02-11
Duration: 1 h 16 min

2018
1h 16m

YOUR RATING

Acclaimed filmmaker Tony Williams draws us into the heart of an exceptionally talented not for profit community chamber orchestra, and reveals the stories of the people behind the music. Thr... Read allAcclaimed filmmaker Tony Williams draws us into the heart of an exceptionally talented not for profit community chamber orchestra, and reveals the stories of the people behind the music. Three times a year, players of a very high standard travel 2 to 3 hours to rehearse at the Wo... Read allAcclaimed filmmaker Tony Williams draws us into the heart of an exceptionally talented not for profit community chamber orchestra, and reveals the stories of the people behind the music. Three times a year, players of a very high standard travel 2 to 3 hours to rehearse at the Wollongong conservatorium, and give concerts in the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Southern Highl... Read all

Director
- Tony Williams

See production info at IMDbPro

YOUR RATING

Director
- Tony Williams

1User review

See production info at IMDbPro

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Acclaimed filmmaker Tony Williams draws us into the heart of an exceptionally talented not for profit community chamber orchestra, and reveals the stories of the people behind the music. Three times a year, players of a very high standard travel 2 to 3 hours to rehearse at the Wollongong conservatorium, and give concerts in the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands. Williams captures the interaction between the players during performance and explores the structure of the orchestra and the roles that are played by first violins, second violins, violas, cellos and basses. The film examines the important role of the orchestra in a rural community, providing fine music to an audience that don't have the same access to music as city people. Steel City Strings also provides opportunities for up and coming young soloist to perform with an orchestra. Many members of the orchestra are music teachers, and the film reveals the value of music in education, particularly for young children. We see how primary school children who play an instrument have neurological benefits which help them in all aspects of education. Parts of the brain are accessed by music, that are not affected by other forms of learning. We see children who play in a musical group also learn disciplines and social interactions by being part of an orchestra. The players in Steel City Strings are united by their passion for music, their dedication and their energy, and their music resonates throughout their community. This film is an uplifting experience celebrating the joy of music.

community orchestra

Genre
- Documentary
Parents guide
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User reviews1

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"The Passion of Music" Review.

The story is of a regional orchestra in Wollongong. Historically locals brought musicians from the city. Then came Kyle Little, a native of Nova Scotia, now Wollongong resident. He built a group of locals to make music because they love to do so. A series of cameo interviews presents humane locals who are passionate about making music and polishing their personal and combined presentations. Individual interviews are edited into whole orchestra performances in several settings. They give us Mozart, Vivaldi, Holst, Fasch and local Australian compositions. You might pass these players in the street like others with jobs in and outside the world of music. They show up as remarkably accomplished musicians committed to team harmony and all the discipline, egoless unselfishness that this requires along with the joy. Normally people outside cities expect to have to travel to hear professional orchestral works or to belong to a professional orchestra. But it is the "ruralness", the attainability of first class music which is so wonderful here. So refreshing.

The group joins with other local music makers to produce music and inspire young performers. The sessions with young children are deeply moving. Touching scenes of a little boy being shown how to hold and wield a conductor's baton or a young cellist performing Elgar's Cello Concerto flooded most audience hearts.

Two things stand out from this film. One is that it is an inspiring document about the priceless fulfilment music brings to our lives. The other message is about the importance of what is local. Wollongong is not Vienna nor Paris. Wollongong is Wollongong and has its own remarkable people who perform and refine their art. We are so used to seeing highly elaborate and High Tec productions from somewhere else we think this is normal. Precious perhaps; normal not. The music and the Artistic Director of Steel city Strings may come from somewhere else but they produce Wollongong Mozart. If we bring magnetic individuals to rural areas they will flourish in their own unique ways.

Vivaldi would be proud to hear his work in Wollongong and Bowral and Robertson is proud to hear and see Tony Williams' world-class work.

Michael D. Breen 24the May 2018

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