This Fellini's movie opens in a white, half-empty room. A kind, old man guides us through the history and the current purpose of the oratory until the musicians arrive. He's nostalgic of the old days of which he often speaks, comparing them to the present decay.
The relationship between present and past in music is also evoked by the orchestra leader. The past is always represented as the ideal period opposed to the time infected by media. The television is there to film the orchestra rehearsals: musicians are asked to talk about themselves: it's beautiful how each one of them remembers their encounter with music and the instrument they're playing.
The characters are all unique: they have different stories to tell but they share the same passion. Everyone wants to impose the importance of its own instrument without realizing that magic is accomplished with the presence of every single one together. The orchestra leader complains about the public who, in his opinion, is unable to understand music, or art in general. Like T.S. Eliot's line "the women come and go talking of Michelangelo", the orchestra leader expresses his dissatisfaction with the public.
The second half of the movie is an act of rebellion where the musicians refuse the orchestra leader's role. The seizure of power doesn't last very long: they end up destroying and ruining the oratory. The orchestra leader takes control of the situation and when everything seems to be back to its own harmony, the sound of disappointment echoes in the dust of the room.
The music of the movie is sublime, composed by the incomparable Nino Rota. The acting is simple but pure and it perfectly reaches Fellini's intent.
The relationship between present and past in music is also evoked by the orchestra leader. The past is always represented as the ideal period opposed to the time infected by media. The television is there to film the orchestra rehearsals: musicians are asked to talk about themselves: it's beautiful how each one of them remembers their encounter with music and the instrument they're playing.
The characters are all unique: they have different stories to tell but they share the same passion. Everyone wants to impose the importance of its own instrument without realizing that magic is accomplished with the presence of every single one together. The orchestra leader complains about the public who, in his opinion, is unable to understand music, or art in general. Like T.S. Eliot's line "the women come and go talking of Michelangelo", the orchestra leader expresses his dissatisfaction with the public.
The second half of the movie is an act of rebellion where the musicians refuse the orchestra leader's role. The seizure of power doesn't last very long: they end up destroying and ruining the oratory. The orchestra leader takes control of the situation and when everything seems to be back to its own harmony, the sound of disappointment echoes in the dust of the room.
The music of the movie is sublime, composed by the incomparable Nino Rota. The acting is simple but pure and it perfectly reaches Fellini's intent.