Watch From Mao to Mozart: Isaac Stern in China

From Mao to Mozart: Isaac Stern in China is a documentary film released in 1979 that chronicles the journey of renowned American violinist Isaac Stern as he travels to China to perform with Chinese musicians. Directed by Murray Lerner, this film provides a glimpse into the cultural revolution that was sweeping across China during that time and how it was influencing the arts.

The film begins with Isaac Stern in New York, where he receives an invitation to perform in China. This was a rare opportunity since China had been cut off from the rest of the world for over two decades. Stern immediately accepts the invitation and heads to China with his pianist, David Golub.

Upon their arrival in China, Stern and Golub meet with Chinese musicians, who were selected by the Chinese government to perform with them. These musicians had been trained in the Soviet Union, and they were experts in Western classical music, despite the fact that their country had undergone a cultural revolution that rejected Western influence.

Stern and Golub quickly realize that performing together would not be easy, as the Chinese musicians had been trained very differently from them. They struggled to communicate effectively since they spoke different languages and had received vastly different musical educations. This film captures their efforts to overcome these barriers and create a successful performance.

Throughout the film, we see the musicians rehearse and perform together, showcasing the wonderful music that could be created by bringing together Western and Chinese music. The performances were riveting, and the audience could see the passion and dedication that the musicians put into their work.

As the film progresses, we see Isaac Stern explore China and meet with artists, dancers, and musicians. He is fascinated by the country, its culture and its people. We also see him visit schools and speak to children about music, hoping to inspire the next generation of Chinese musicians.

The film takes a more serious tone when it shows the musicians discussing their own musical careers and the challenges they faced during the cultural revolution. They talk about how many artists were persecuted and how their musical careers were threatened. The documentary sheds light on the struggles of artists during that era, and how they had to fight for their rights to express themselves through art.

As Stern and Golub wrap up their trip to China, they reflect on the incredible experience they have had. They realize that music has the power to transcend national and cultural boundaries and bring people together. The film ends with a beautiful performance by the Chinese musicians, showcasing the incredible talent that China had to offer.

From Mao to Mozart: Isaac Stern in China is a fascinating documentary that gives us a glimpse into the cultural revolution in China through the lens of music. It captures the challenges faced by musicians as they tried to merge their different musical styles and left us with a message of hope and unity. This documentary is a must-watch for anyone interested in music, culture, and history.

From Mao to Mozart: Isaac Stern in China is a 1979 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 54 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5.