Music From the Inside Out

I come away from this film realizing to what extent the musician is in the work of art that is being created on the spot, with each performance. Music is a miracle, and live performance of great music really is sublime. And it's all done by people who, like me, enjoy being an audience. Watching these musicians enjoy the superb performance of Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" by the accordionist is a high point in this for me. Seeing the DePue brothers play bluegrass, watching the trombonist play with the salsa band, enjoying the violinist with the children at their school, made viewing this film special and important. The segment on the role of the conductor was enlightening. I am grateful to have this.

This documentary attempts to answer the question "What is music?", through the members of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Sometimes the musicians discuss this as a group, or some give individual reflections on the question. There are many varied responses, and there is no absolute answer. It really demonstrates the common bond that music has in it's most basic sense, as some of the musicians demonstrate their affinity for all kinds of music.Whether you enjoy classical music or not, if you DO enjoy music, this movie is sure to please, and sure to make you smile. Definitely a movie that can be watched over and over.

I'm an elementary school music teacher, and I bought this for my students to watch. I hoped that it would help them in choosing a band instrument and inspire them to play music. Unfortunately, I found it pretty boring. I couldn't get through it, and turned it off about 2/3 the way through. It might be good if you need some time to kill or have a sub for a music class, but the beginning isn't appropriate for the little ones because of some gratuitous crotch shots during a salsa dancing part. Don't know what the video editor was thinking there.Anyhow, there are better educational videos on the market. I didn't see what all the hype was about.

This film was produced after a devastating Philadelphia Orchestra strike. It apparently helped to heal the orchestra members, and gave us a memorable film in the process. It entertainingly explores questions like, "What is Music," "How is music related to the other arts," and "What does music contribute to my life." Profound, inciteful, funny, and always entertaining,this is a gem of a movie. I saw it first at the movie theater, and was thrilled to be able to buy it on DVD.

You will hear the music differently when you are able to identify with the musicians who play it. The members of the Philidelphia Orchestra transparently share their stories and insights about the process of making music together.

After watching this beautiful film, it's impossible to hear recorded classical music and dismiss it as pleasant aural wallpaper. Now there's a musician and a passion behind every piece, a community of real lives behind every note, and professional orchestra players who also make art, run marathons, and fiddle in pubs. You don't have to love classical music to watch this movie, but it's certain it will kindle a spark for music-making of all kinds.

I do like this DVD. However, I would have enjoyed it more had there been a little more music and a little less talk.It was interesting to hear from the various musicians, and I wouldn't have changed that for the world. So, perhaps, the DVD should have been just a little longer to incorporate more of the musicians talent in an orchestral setting.

Our daughter alerted us to this movie when it was first released. We absolutely loved it, and everyone who saw it on our recommendation was grateful to have seen it. We have given the DVD as as present several times, with the same reaction. It is the story of musicians in the Philadelphia Orchestra "from the Inside Out." The last person we gave it to recently watched it twice.

This video is an interview with the members of the Philadelphia Harmonic Orchestra asking the question, "What is Music?". I'm an adult student of the guitar, and for me this is one of the best learning tools I've found to understand music theory. The great thing about it is the fact that when I watch this video in the evening, my guitar playing improves immensely the following day.