Liszt's Rhapsody
| Liszt's Rhapsody | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Richard Mozer |
| Written by | Heather Conkie |
| Story by | David Devine |
| Produced by | David Devine Richard Mozer |
| Starring | Geordie Johnson Drew Jurecka Peter Keleghan Ida Carnevali Fab Filippo |
| Cinematography | David Perrault |
| Edited by | Michael Pacek |
Production company | Devine Entertainment |
| Distributed by | HBO Original Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 49 minutes |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
Liszt's Rhapsody is a 1996 HBO Original Film produced and directed by Richard Mozer, with co-production by David Devine.[1]
Premise
Franz Liszt, already an acclaimed musician, meets the young Josy, who becomes his student and challenges his master's views.
Cast
- Geordie Johnson as Franz Liszt
- Drew Jurecka as Josy
- Peter Keleghan as Count Teleky
- Ida Carnevali as Fanny
- Fab Filippo as Janka
- Dylan Gray as Rom
Production
The film was shot in the small mountain town of Labin, in Istria, Croatia.
The film was released on DVD[2] and has been broadcast in various countries outside the United States.[3][4][5] The film and its corresponding Teacher's Guide has been used in elementary and middle schools by music teachers.[6][7]
Liszt's Rhapsody was one of seven films made for HBO for the 7- to 14-year-old set, introducing them to classical music and composers.[8][9]
Soundtrack
The CD and soundtrack, produced by Richard Mozer for Sony MUSIC of New York, was composed by Franz Liszt, and was recorded at the Slovak Philharmonic, with an 88-person symphony orchestra conducted by Ondrej Lenárd.[10]
Tracks include:[11]
- Hungarian Rhapsody No. 9 ("Carnival in Pest") 12:11
- Mephisto Waltz 11:32
- Liebestraum (Dream of Love) 4:27
- Orpheus, symphonic poem 10:38
- Les préludes, symphonic poem 15:28
- Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 9:52
Reception
Charles P. Mitchell found it was "misrepresent[ing] the man and the composer" and that Geordie Johnson could have made an acceptable portrayal if the script hadn't been so poor.[12] However, John C . Tibbetts judged it was the best of the series and a "charming fable in multiculturalism base on a true but little-known incident in Liszt's life".[13]
References
- ^ Leger, Louie. "Special Report: Banff Television Festival: In kids' fare, opposites attract". Retrieved September 16, 2025.
- ^ Liszt's Rhapsody (1996). Retrieved September 16, 2025 – via www.blu-ray.com.
- ^ "La rapsodia de Liszt". www.mexicoescultura.com (in Spanish). Retrieved September 16, 2025.
- ^ Mello, Mariana Ferrer (November 10, 2023). "Pianistas famosos: 10 películas sobre compositores de piano". Piano en casa (in European Spanish). Retrieved September 16, 2025.
- ^ Telégrafo, El (August 20, 2014). "Mañana, cine foro sobre el filme 'La rapsodia de Liszt'". El Telégrafo (in European Spanish). Retrieved September 16, 2025.
- ^ "LISZT'S RHAPSODY". Teach with Movies. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
- ^ Birkenshaw-Fleming, Lois (2000). Come on Everybody, Let's Sing!: Music Activities for All Children in Regular, Mainstreamed, and Special Classes. Alfred Music Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7692-9965-5.
- ^ Bowker's Complete Video Directory 2001. R.R. Bowker. 2001. ISBN 978-0-8352-4427-5.
- ^ "Discord Hits Kids' Video Music Series : Dispute: Classical Kids founder says a product from Devine Corp., created by a former partner, has tarnished its concept of introducing classical music to children. Devine Corp. defends its new work as 'original.'". Los Angeles Times. September 2, 1995. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
- ^ Schwann opus. Stereophile, Incorporated. 1998. ISBN 978-1-57598-046-1.
- ^ Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra - Music From The Film Liszt's Rhapsody, 1996, retrieved September 16, 2025
- ^ Mitchell, Charles P. (July 11, 2015). The Great Composers Portrayed on Film, 1913 through 2002. McFarland. ISBN 978-1-4766-0985-0.
- ^ Tibbetts, John C. (October 1, 2008). Composers in the Movies: Studies in Musical Biography. Yale University Press. ISBN 978-0-300-12803-1.