Watch a genius conduct his own prayers — no filter, all ego, pure brilliance.
This documentary is an informal portrait of the great modern composer Igor Stravinsky. Proudly American, though still very much an Old World figure with a long and alert memory for people and events in music, literature and art, Stravinsky is depicted here conducting the CBC Symphony Orchestra in a recording of his Symphony of Psalms.
Direction
Cinéma vérité that lets Stravinsky perform himself.
Sound
The Symphony of Psalms — recorded live, flaws and all.
Director
Roman Kroitor
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was one of the first Canadian documentaries to use direct cinema techniques, letting events unfold without narration driving the narrative.
Stravinsky's 1962 return to Russia after 50 years in exile had just happened; this film captures him at peak 'reconciled elder statesman' energy.
CA
US
