There is a sense present among a great segment of the population that those individuals that are into classical music, be it playing or just listening, are somewhat aloof and are not in touch with the rest of society. They Came To Play, a documentary surrounding a number of amateurs looking to win the Van Cliburn Foundation’s Piano Competition, so compelling. When focusing in on each of the different contestant, the film allows viewers to see the humanity and range of emotions present in a way that has never been captured before.
They Came To Play intersperses scenes of playing with interviews detailing motivation, players’ histories and even further reasoning for their entrance into the competition. Unlike American Idol or any other of the skill-based television shows, it is never clear whom will win. When the winner does take the stage, prepare to be amazed.
The added feature, extended performances of a number of the contestants, shines further light into the talent and skill that each brought to the table. While there were only a few winners among the large number of contestants, each person brings their own soul and brilliance to each piece they play. It is this nuanced playing style that is just part of the reason that They Came To Play is such a great documentary. By breaking down preconceived notions about these players, I feel that some of the stigmas associated with classical music can begin to be quashed. Check out the Van Cliburn Foundation’s events and look to see for yourself some of the same magic that director Alex Rotaru originally saw in this meeting of the musical minds.
Rating: 7.7/10
They Came To Play (DVD) / 2010 New Video / 91 Minutes / http://www.newvideo.com
