Horowitz Plays Mozart

In May 1987, the world-renowned pianist Vladimir Horowitz decided to make a recording with a symphony orchestra. It was a special occasion, because he had not been in a recording studio for 35 years. He rehearsed for one month with the La Scala Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Carlo Maria Giulili, and all this time the filmmakers of Maysles Inc. tried to induce Horowitz to give permission to capture the rehearsals on film. At the last moment, Horowitz suddenly consented. The result is a film that, apart from a full performance of Mozart’s piano concerto no. 23, shows how the great master prepares for his concert, how he and his wife interact and how he gives a press conference to a group of European journalists. (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam)