Search - Casadesus - The First Family of the Piano on DVD

A Mixed Bag, But...

BLee | HK | 12/12/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In case you already have Bell Telephone Great Pianists, you have to consider if you want this one as well. It consists of substantially the same things, namely, exactly the same performance of the same movement in Beethoven, Chopin and Bach etc.

What you have here and not in Bell Telephone are: (i) a session of Robert teaching his student, a concert pianist from US-- and the clip lasted for a couple of minutes or so which is quite interesting; (ii) Robert and his wife playing four hands for a few minutes which is perfectly charming; (iii) the Casadesus home in Paris where Robert composed, and their country house where the family practiced together; (iv) the family playing a movement of a concerto composed by Robert for three pianos & an orchestra; (v) Robert at backstage right before and after he goes on stage; (vi) a number of pieces played by Jean the son...

This DVD is narrated by Jean and is more or less presented from Jean's point of view. It provides some insights into this renowned musical family whom even Rubinstein felt threatened and as could be seen from these clips not at all without justifications. One star taken off for it's repetition with Bell Telepohone."