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Artist Endorsements of the first documentary
on Leopold Godowsky: "The Buddha of the Piano" created, directed and performed by pianist Antonio Iturrioz
You did a splendid job in depicting my grandfather, the artist and the
person. I also think you played his works very well, both interpretively
and managing to present his complex, contrapuntal, technically difficult
music with an ease that belies the extraordinary demands required to make
this music sound facile and musical. And so I wish you much success in
your project and thank you for your devotion to my grandfather’s music,
and your wish to bring this extraordinary musical genius deservedly back
to the attention of the musical world. Many bravos to Antonio Iturrioz for giving us this wonderfully
informative and much-needed documentary on one of our under appreciated
and greatest musicians, Leopold Godowsky. It allows us to again remember
the legendary life and career of this brilliantly unique pianist, composer
and arranger, and his immeasurably important contributions to the world of
music. Antonio Iturrioz has performed a wonderful service to music lovers in
general and pianophiles in particular, by producing this lovingly
researched film. Thank you for the dvd. It is an important film for all pianists and pianophiles. It gives a clear insight into the life and unique piano genius of Leopold Godowsky. You reveal with skill, clarity and sensitivity the intricacies of his polyphonic piano writing, which as a composer-pianist myself, has always been a fascination.
From miniature to magnitude you have explored in film and through music
the contrapuntal and technical mastery of the Poet of the Piano -- Leopold
Godowsky -- pure melody. I salute you and thank you ! Antonio Iturrioz’s film gives us the highlights of Godowsky’s busy,
peripatetic, career, shares his thoughts about music and life, and neatly
summarizes his achievements as pianist, arranger, composer and teacher.
The resulting portrait reveals why Godowsky stood out even in a Golden Age
of Romantic piano playing. The film is generously illustrated with
archival photographs, documents and scores, and unfolds against a backdrop
of Godowsky’s own luxuriant, highly original and legendarily difficult
music. This dvd is a must for any serious pianist. The historical information
given by Mr. Iturrioz would have been sufficient reason to acquire the
DVD, but the playing and tasteful understanding of Godowsky's music as
well makes this an ultimately satisfying experience. Bravo Mr. Iturrioz
and Mr. Godowsky! I enjoyed your Godowsky film very much. You did a great job of putting
it all together. A splendid accomplishment! This documentary is one of the most fascinating and illuminating presentations of a great pianist’s life and times. It fills a void and gives students, pianists and those interested in the legacy of one of the greatest pianists of all time a rare opportunity to reassess the tremendous and singular gifts of Leopold Godowsky. Antonio Iturrioz’s exceptional performances provide an added bonus. I have thoroughly enjoyed your film “The Buddha of the Piano: Leopold Godowsky”. It was absolutely fascinating ! And your playing is superb ! Wow, what a difficult repertoire, and played with such effortlessness ! The Duo-Art-Steinway is a beautiful instrument. I also enjoyed learning about Godowski’s life and career. Such an underplayed and underrated composer. The film is a brilliant production in every aspect. I so enjoyed the Godowsky portrait. You had so much excellent visual material, a high class commentary (the script and delivery), and beautiful music examples too (and very well played!) Thank you so much for it. I really value having it. It is quite unique. 2016 Reviews Many congratulations to Antonio Iturrioz for this beautiful film on Leopold Godowsky. It is a labor of love and I absolutely loved it ! A great documentary on one of the giants of the turn of the 20th Century pianism ! Conceived, written, narrated and performed with knowledge and passion for the subject. Thank you, Antonio Iturrioz, for the creation of the film ! The Great Godowsky ! This is a first-rate look at one of the Titans of the piano. Antonio Iturrioz should be congratulated both for the insightful narrative of the film as well as for his superb artistry as an interpreter of Leopold Godowsky.
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