Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Reversing opioid overdose ... Ashland chamber recognizes outstanding businesses of Ashland ... The Democracy Project at SOU: Promoting global citizenship through international travel ... Reversing opioid overdose ... Ashland chamber recognizes outstanding businesses of Ashland ... The Democracy Project at SOU: Promoting global citizenship through international travel ... Music inspires life in powerful documentary 'Seymour: An Introduction' "Seymour: An Introduction" is a documentary not about music, but about how music teaches us to understand life. "Through music’s language," says Seymour Bernstein, "we become one with the stars." Comment By Josh Terry, Deseret News DailyTidings.com By Josh Terry, Deseret News Posted Apr. 3, 2015 at 12:01 AM Updated Apr 3, 2015 at 4:19 AM By Josh Terry, Deseret News Posted Apr. 3, 2015 at 12:01 AM Updated Apr 3, 2015 at 4:19 AM » Social News “Sometimes I think that playing life more beautifully is what I’m after,” Ethan Hawke says in the documentary, “Seymour: An Introduction.” “…but I don’t know how to do it.” The Seymour in the title refers to Seymour Bernstein, an accomplished New York pianist who dedicated the majority of his career to teaching after stage fright and other frustrations led him away from the stage at the age of 50. Hawke met Bernstein at a dinner party several years ago, at a time when the actor was searching for the meaning behind his life’s work. The man he discovered was an engaging human being who integrated music and life seamlessly, and inspired Hawke enough to make a documentary about the musician. “Seymour” gives us a rich palette of content about Bernstein’s life, but it isn’t presented chronologically. Instead, Hawke lets Bernstein’s own piano guide us through the twists and turns of the subject, painting a portrait as much as telling a story. Bernstein played and performed for decades through the first half of his life. He performed for his fellow troops during his service in Korea and enjoyed the grand things of life thanks to wealthy beneficiaries. But by the time Hawke met him, Bernstein had been retired from public performance for nearly 35 years, and he’d been living in the same New York apartment for 57. “Seymour” encapsulates Bernstein’s philosophy on music and life as it intercuts interviews with footage of his workshops and intimate study sessions with students. Eventually it leads to a special event Hawke helped orchestrate that features Bernstein’s performance of Schumann’s Fantasy in C, Opus 17. The music guides and engages the viewer throughout the relatively brief run-time of “Seymour” (about 80 minutes). It enforces a powerful tone on the film, but the beauty of the music often plays second fiddle to the wisdom of its subject. The timing of “Seymour” couldn’t be better. His magnitude of character and impact as a teacher plays in stark contrast to the image of J.K. Simmons’ role in last year’s “Whiplash.” Simmons won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance as a manic, profanity-spewing jazz teacher, the kind of obsessed perfectionist who blurs the line between serving the student and serving one’s own ego. Bernstein, by comparison, rules by persistent delicacy. That is not to say he is a pushover — footage of him working with students in public workshops sees him correcting and chiding and testing the patience of those around him. But there is never any question whether his intentions are genuine. According to Bernstein, a good teacher should “inspire and encourage an emotional response for all aspects of life.” The thing that is most effective about “Seymour” is the way it refuses to limit its scope. It is a documentary not about music but about how music teaches us to understand life. “Through music’s language,” Bernstein says, “we become one with the stars.” It’s a poetic statement, but the reason the music and the man stick with us is because they inspire us to work harder at whatever we are doing, regardless of whether it can be played on a piano. “Seymour: an Introduction” is rated PG for some mild adult content. By Josh Terry, Deseret News DailyTidings.com By Josh Terry, Deseret News Posted Apr. 3, 2015 at 12:01 AM Updated Apr 3, 2015 at 4:19 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501