Thursday, July 27, 2006

The Pianist from the Movie

I seem to be into enjoying excerpts of performances I've found on YouTube. For those of you who saw The Pianist, you'll remember this scene where his family has been taken to the concentration camps and killed, his hiding place destroyed, his help moved away, and he's near freezing in a bombed out ruin with one can of fruit his remaining food. A German officer discovers him and asked him what he used to do. He tells him he'd played the piano. Before the war, he was solo pianist for the city orchestra and played also on the radio. The officer points to a piano that's been abandoned in the ruins and tells him to play. He sits. You wonder if he's still able to after all he's been through. Then comes this wonderful scene and the humanity of the officer is shown, as well as the beauty of this wonderful piece of music. Enjoy.

The Pianist - Chopin Ballade No.1in G minor






*******See Michi Gabriel's moving poem in Lock Raven Review dedicated to the pianist in this movie. She posted the link in comments, but I'm putting it here, too, so others won't miss it. The poem is so very painfully beautiful.

12 comments:

Pris said...

I love it, too. It's still painful to watch movies about that awful time in history, but if seeing that changes one person's course in life towards the better, it's worth making and remaking them. So ironic that we literally had to be dragged into that war, despite intelligence reports about the camps, yet our government lept with eagerness into ones that were way more 'iffy' or not necessary at all.

Pat Paulk said...

Have not seen the movie, but the clip is hauntingly beautiful!! Thanks!!

Berenice said...

This is so moving Pris. B xx

Pris said...

Yes, the movie tears at your heart.

michi said...

i love the movie.
inspired a poem called The Memory of Keys. took me ages to finish it.
thanks for posting this.

m

Pris said...

Do you have the poem posted somewhere??

michi said...

pris - it was published in loch raven review:
http://www.lochravenreview.net/2005winter/gabriel.html

Pris said...

Michi
I just read it and it gave me chills. The poem is breathtakingly beautiful and yes, I can see him so vividly in your words.

Your other work in there is top dollar , too, I might add. What a wonderful poet you are!

michi said...

awww, thanks pris! *S* you are too kind.

and re my "pet" and obedience school - perhaps i need to go there first? ;)

m

Pris said...

No thanks needed. That poem should be read by everyone. It's truly among the top poems I've read.

And your 'pet'...we'll let him have his antics lol

Pris said...

Isn't it wonderful, Silvermoon? I've read Michi's work before. She's excellent!!

michi said...

you are TOO kind! i am blushing redder than my first ever homegrown tomato here!

thank you!!