Watch Claudio Abbado: The Silence that Follows the Music

Claudio Abbado: The Silence that Follows the Music is a documentary film released in 1998 that explores the life and music of one of the greatest conductors of the 20th century, Claudio Abbado. The film takes the viewers on a journey through Abbado's life and his inspiring career spanning over five decades. The documentary starts with a brief introduction to Abbado's upbringing in Milan, Italy, where he first fell in love with music. It then delves into his early years as a music student in Milan before moving to Vienna to study conducting. The film then takes us to the 1960s, when Abbado began his professional career with the La Scala Orchestra in Milan. The viewer is treated to some rare footage of Abbado's early performances, showcasing his raw talent and dedication to the art of conducting.

The film then moves on to document Abbado's later years, where he held various high-profile positions with renowned orchestras around the world. The Berliner Philharmoniker took center stage in Abbado's life, where he served as the chief conductor from 1989 to 2002. The Berliner Philharmoniker played an integral role in Abbado's life, and the film showcases some of their most memorable performances together.

Throughout the film, we hear from some of Abbado's colleagues and friends, including Daniel Barenboim, who muses on Abbado's musicality and the effortless way in which he communicated his interpretation of the music to the musicians. Barenboim speaks of how Abbado always pushed himself to the limit, both artistically and physically, in order to achieve the perfect interpretation of the composer's vision. Other notable individuals who appear in the film include Pierre Boulez, Maurizio Pollini, and Claudio's sister, the actress and director Giovanna Abbado.

One of the major themes of the film is Abbado's passion for music and his musical principles. We learn about his unique approach to conducting, where he would seek to bring out the individual voices in the orchestra, rather than imposing his own interpretation of the music upon them. Abbado's philosophy was to achieve a balance between his own vision for the music and the vision of the composer, thus creating a harmonious blend of the two.

Another key theme of the film is Abbado's love for the natural world. We see Abbado taking walks in the forest near his home in Italy, admiring nature's beauty and reflecting on his life's work. We hear how Abbado's love of nature directly influenced his music-making, as he sought to create a sound that was as natural and organic as possible.

The film also touches upon some of the challenges that Abbado faced throughout his career. We learn about his battle with stomach cancer, which forced him to take a hiatus from his work with the Berliner Philharmoniker in the 1990s. We hear about how Abbado's illness brought him closer to his musicians, who rallied around him in support. Ultimately, Abbado returned to the orchestra and continued his work until his death in 2014.

Overall, Claudio Abbado: The Silence that Follows the Music is a touching tribute to one of the greatest conductors of our time. The film provides a unique insight into Abbado's life and work, showcasing his passion for music, his unique approach to conducting, and his love of nature. With rare footage and interviews with some of Abbado's closest collaborators and friends, the film is a must-see for anyone interested in classical music and the life of a music legend.