Piano teacher Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky struggles against his homosexuality by marrying, but unfortunately he chooses a nymphomaniac whom he cannot satisfy.Piano teacher Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky struggles against his homosexuality by marrying, but unfortunately he chooses a nymphomaniac whom he cannot satisfy.Piano teacher Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky struggles against his homosexuality by marrying, but unfortunately he chooses a nymphomaniac whom he cannot satisfy.
- Awards
- 1 nomination
Alex Russell
- Von Meck child
- (as Alexander Russell)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaSome of the interior scenes of Madame Nadedja von Meck's estate would later be used in Stanley Kubrick's Barry Lyndon (1975).
- Quotes
[in insane asylum]
Antonina Milyukova: My husband's a most famous man. I'm Madame Tchaikovsky from Moscow. My husband, he really did love me! Oh, Peter, my love...
[pauses, expression changes]
Antonina Milyukova: He hated me. He hated me!
- ConnectionsFeatured in Without Walls: The Obituary Show - Ken Russell (1991)
- SoundtracksPolovtsian Dances
(uncredited)
from "Prince Igor"
Composed by Aleksandr Borodin (as Alexander Borodin)
Played as background to one of Nina's romantic encounters.
Featured review
Wonderful, one of Ken Russell's best
Ken Russell has always been an interesting director, imaginative, eccentric and his composer biographies are quite unique. Some of his touches can come across as distasteful and bizarre(Lisztomania being one of his worst culprits) but The Music Lovers is an example of the ideas being outrageously surreal but rather beautiful but with an equally beautiful story to tell. Along with his Elgar and Delius biographies-where he shows a restrained and more accessible touch- and Mahler also The Music Lovers is one of his best films. The ending is rather rushed, other than that it is a wonderful film regardless of the lack of historical accuracy. Visually, it is both colourful and beautiful with lush costumes and sets and clever camera work that is very distinctive of Russell's style, though it doesn't feel too much of a music video. Tchaikovsky composed some of the best and most emotionally impactful music ever known to man, the music displayed is phenomenal and beautifully performed. As well as being very well-respected, and The Music Lovers really does have some of the best ever meshing of visuals and music in a biographical drama and maybe even with film in general. This couldn't be more apparent in the 1812 Overture scene, where the very striking images create a haunting and hilarious effect(see the cannons for a prime example). The Music Lovers is a very well-written film too, funny and touching, and with a story that engrosses and moves. Russell's direction does show some eccentricity but there is evidence of him also reigning in and showing some subtle(something that wasn't there in Lisztomania for example). Richard Chamberlain really makes you believe that Tchaikovsky was a tormented genius with the many complicated nuances nailed, Tchaikovsky in my mind has only been played better in the Russian film version of his life where the actor also bared an uncanny resemblance to the composer. Glenda Jackson is unforgettable as Nina, not as big or as pivotal a role but is about equal in the memorability factor. All the acting ranges from solid to very good. In conclusion, wonderful film. 9/10 Bethany Cox
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- TheLittleSongbird
- Nov 24, 2013
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- The Lonely Heart
- Filming locations
- Pump Room, Roman Baths, Bath, Somerset, England, UK(Moscow Conservatoire)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- £1,600,000 (estimated)
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