PickFlick
Samuel Barber: Absolute Beauty

Samuel Barber: Absolute Beauty

A documentary about the composer of the Adagio for Strings

2017•2h 10m•10.0/10
MusicHistoryDocumentary

Ratings

🎬TMDb
10.0/10(1)

Known for his mournful "Adagio for Strings," Samuel Barber was never quite fashionable. This acclaimed film is a probing exploration of his music and melancholia. Performance, oral history, musicology, and biography combine to explore the life and music of one of America’s greatest composers. Features Thomas Hampson, Leonard Slatkin, Marin Alsop and many more of the world's leading experts on Barber's music, with tributes from composers Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, Virgil Thomson and William Schuman. The film was broadcast on PBS, and screened at nine film festivals internationally, with three best-of awards. It was named a Recording of the Year 2017 by MusicWeb International.

Open in PickFlick

Production

Zen Violence Films

Language

EN

Status

Released

Release Date

Trailers & Videos

Cast

Thomas Hampson

Thomas Hampson

Self

Leonard Slatkin

Self

Marin Alsop

Marin Alsop

Self

John Corigliano

Self

Jenny Oaks Baker

Self

Recommended

That's Entertainment!

That's Entertainment!

7.4
1974
Movie

Various MGM stars from yesterday present their favorite musical moments from the studio's 50 year history.

That's Entertainment!

1974
7.4
Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me

Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me

8.5
2022
Movie

After years in the limelight, Selena Gomez achieves unimaginable stardom. But just as she reaches a new peak, an unexpected turn pulls her into darkness. This uniquely raw and intimate documentary spans her six-year journey into a new light.

Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me

2022
8.5
The Sound of 007

The Sound of 007

7.2
2022
Movie

Pull back the curtain on the remarkable history of six decades of James Bond music, from Sean Connery’s Dr No through to Daniel Craig’s final outing in No Time to Die.

The Sound of 007

2022
7.2
The Show Must Go On: The Queen + Adam Lambert Story

The Show Must Go On: The Queen + Adam Lambert Story

7.5
2019
Movie

A documentary chronicling Queen and Lambert's incredible journey since they first shared the stage together on "American Idol" in 2009.

The Show Must Go On: The Queen + Adam Lambert Story

2019
7.5
Supersonic

Supersonic

7.4
2016
Movie

Supersonic charts the meteoric rise of Oasis from the council estates of Manchester to some of the biggest concerts of all time in just three short years. This palpable, raw and moving film shines a light on one of the most genre and generation-defining British bands that has ever existed and features candid new interviews with Noel and Liam Gallagher, their mother, and members of the band and road crew.

Supersonic

2016
7.4
Live Aid

Live Aid

7.9
1985
Movie

Live Aid was held on 13 July 1985, simultaneously in Wembley Stadium in London, England, and the John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, United States. It was one of the largest scale satellite link-ups and television broadcasts of all time: watched live by an estimated global audience of 1.9 billion, across 150 nations. "It's twelve noon in London, seven AM in Philadelphia, and around the world it's time for Live Aid...!"

Live Aid

1985
7.9
Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound

Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound

6.8
2019
Movie

The history of cinematic sound, told by legendary sound designers and visionary filmmakers.

Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound

2019
6.8
Quincy

Quincy

7.4
2018
Movie

An intimate look into the life of icon Quincy Jones. A unique force in music and popular culture for 70 years, Jones has transcended racial and cultural boundaries; his story is inextricably woven into the fabric of America. Jones came to prominence in the 1950s as a jazz arranger and conductor before working on pop music and film scores. He moved easily between musical genres, producing major pop hits of the early 1960s and serving as an arranger and conductor for several collaborations in the same time period.

Quincy

2018
7.4
Adele One Night Only

Adele One Night Only

7.8
2021
Movie

A primetime special with performances from the superstar including Adele’s first new material in six years plus her chart-topping hits. The special will also feature an exclusive interview with Adele by Oprah Winfrey from her rose garden, in Adele’s first televised wide-ranging conversation.

Adele One Night Only

2021
7.8
Score: A Film Music Documentary

Score: A Film Music Documentary

7.1
2017
Movie

Music is an integral part of most films, adding emotion and nuance while often remaining invisible to audiences. Matt Schrader shines a spotlight on the overlooked craft of film composing, gathering many of the art form’s most influential practitioners, from Hans Zimmer and Danny Elfman to Quincy Jones and Randy Newman, to uncover their creative process. Tracing key developments in the evolution of music in film, and exploring some of cinema’s most iconic soundtracks, 'Score' is an aural valentine for film lovers.

Score: A Film Music Documentary

2017
7.1
Howard

Howard

6.8
2018
Movie

Though legendary lyricist Howard Ashman died far too young, his impact on Broadway, movies, and the culture at large were incalculable. Told entirely through rare archival footage and interviews with Ashman’s family, friends, associates, and longtime partner Bill Lauch, Howard is an intimate tribute to a once-in-a-generation talent and a rousing celebration of musical storytelling itself.

Howard

2018
6.8
God Bless Ozzy Osbourne

God Bless Ozzy Osbourne

7.8
2011
Movie

Featuring never before seen footage uncovered from the archives and interviews with Paul McCartney, Tommy Lee and others, God Bless Ozzy Osbourne is the first documentary to take viewers inside the complex mind of rock's great icon.

God Bless Ozzy Osbourne

2011
7.8

Similar Movies

No Image

Anna Netrebko und Rolando Villazón singen "La Traviata"

2020
Movie

No overview available.

Anna Netrebko und Rolando Villazón singen "La Traviata"

2020
Swan Lake - Filmed for IMAX

Swan Lake - Filmed for IMAX

2024
Movie

During his birthday’s celebration, Prince Siegfried must choose a bride. Trying to escape reality, he dreams of a perfect love. His tutor tries to bring him down to Earth and reminds him of his duties. On a dreamlike getaway, the prince meets Odette, a princess who has been transformed into a swan by the powerful sorcerer Rothbart. Only true love can break the spell. Captivated, Siegfried promises Odette to save her and invites her to his party. To trap the prince, the sorcerer sends his daughter Odile, disguised as Odette, to seduce him.

Swan Lake - Filmed for IMAX

2024
The Revenge of the Dead Indians

The Revenge of the Dead Indians

1993
Movie

This is a full-length documentary honoring the life and work of American composer and artist John Cage. Cage is considered one of the most influential composers of the 20th century. This documentary features interviews with various personalities from different fields as they introduce us to the life and work of this great American artist.

The Revenge of the Dead Indians

1993
Pavarotti, Birth of a Pop Star

Pavarotti, Birth of a Pop Star

8.0
2017
Movie

Although he is unanimously credited with having democratised opera, making it accessible to the greatest number, focus is rarely put on the strategy he devised and implemented in order to carry out his actions, nor what his actions reveal of the man and artist, and of the resulting metamorphosis from opera singer to pop artist. Through this angle, this film sets out to pay tribute to the man who summed up his credo, obsession and life’s work, in the following way: “They led the public to believe that classical music belonged to a restricted elite. I was the way to prove to the world that was wrong.

Pavarotti, Birth of a Pop Star

2017
8.0
Cecilia Bartoli Sings Haydn

Cecilia Bartoli Sings Haydn

2001
Movie

From the Styriarte Festival in Graz Austria, the acclaimed mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli and Maestro Nikolaus Harnoncourt with his orchestra Concentus Musicu Wien, present a concert on Haydn arias and Symphony No.92, the "Oxford". The singing virtuosity of "Scena di Berenice" is sublime as is the performance of The "Oxford" Symphony from the ensemble renown for its specialty in early music and playing on period instruments. A unique concert.

Cecilia Bartoli Sings Haydn

2001
Allegro non troppo

Allegro non troppo

7.1
1976
Movie

An enterprising producer believes he has hit upon a winning concept: a program of original animated shorts set to classical music. Undeterred by warnings that this has already been done by an American named 'Prisney,' he rallies an orchestra of geriatric women, a bullish conductor, and an animator that he keeps locked in the dungeon. What could go wrong?

Allegro non troppo

1976
7.1
Die Akte Beethoven

Die Akte Beethoven

10.0
2013
Movie

In a mixture of feature film, music documentary and animated comics, historical facts are retold, analyzed and interpreted in modern settings. Ludwig van Beethoven, played by Lars Eidinger, becomes a contemporary of today's audience. Quick-tempered, irascible, curmudgeonly - that is the common image of Ludwig van Beethoven, the composer with the wild lion's mane. But there is also another Beethoven - young, seductive, spirited and, above all, combative.

Die Akte Beethoven

2013
10.0
Deception

Deception

6.6
1946
Movie

After marrying her long lost love, a pianist finds the relationship threatened by a wealthy composer who is besotted with her.

Deception

1946
6.6
The Music of Kander & Ebb: Razzle Dazzle

The Music of Kander & Ebb: Razzle Dazzle

1997
Movie

A profile of composing team John Kander and Fred Ebb, who have written many Broadway musicals. Highlights include interviews with Lauren Bacall, Joel Grey and others, as well as the two men themselves, plus clips of performances of their songs.

The Music of Kander & Ebb: Razzle Dazzle

1997
You're the Top: The Cole Porter Story

You're the Top: The Cole Porter Story

1990
Movie

Biographical portrait of one of Broadway's most brilliant songwriters. Told through the use of archival material and interviews with the rich and famous that knew him, this portrait concentrates on his career and his public life events.

You're the Top: The Cole Porter Story

1990
Gautier Capuçon à l'Olympia

Gautier Capuçon à l'Olympia

2024
Movie

Recorded at the Olympia, this concert is like a travel journal dedicated to Paris, a city that Gautier Capuçon particularly adores. At the end of 2023, the French cellist released an album entitled "Destination Paris," where classical music rubs shoulders with pop, musicals, and even film soundtracks.

Gautier Capuçon à l'Olympia

2024
No Image

Abbado Conducts Mahler No. 1 & Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 3

2009
Movie

No overview available.

Abbado Conducts Mahler No. 1 & Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 3

2009
PickFlick Assistant
Hi! I'm your PickFlick Assistant. Ask me about movies, TV shows, IPTV sources, or anything about PickFlick.

Powered by CopilotKit