João Carlos Martins Documentary Gets U.S. Premier

[ASUmusicMAN]

João Carlos Martins Documentary

Gets U.S. Premiere

By Susan Elliott

MusicalAmerica.com

April 9, 2004

A documentary about the life of João Carlos Martins -- the Brazilian pianist whose highly successful career in the Sixties was derailed after a series of tragic accident -- is to have its United States premiere tonight in Philadelphia, at the Philadelphia Film Festival. ?Martins Passion? details the famed pianist?s determination to return to concertizing, despite an essentially disabled right hand.

According to its producers, the film follows Martins ?during his darkest hours, tracing the early triumphs and dramatic events of his life. Unique film sequences from his childhood and early years enrich the story.? Also included are interviews with Martins? onetime soccer mentor Pelé and jazz pianist Dave Brubeck.

Martins, now 64, first injured his right hand in 1966 during a soccer game; after years of intensive physical therapy he returned briefly to concertizing in 1979. The pain persisted and, after another operation, he returned again to the stage in 1985. Shortly thereafter he was robbed and beaten. In May of 1996, Martins performed a comeback concert of sorts with the American Symphony Orchestra under JoAnn Falletta in Carnegie Hall. That performance of Ginastera?s Piano Concerto No. 1, which Martins actually premiered in 1961, was described in The New York Times by Anthony Tommasini as displaying ?passion and stamina.?

Written and directed by Irene Langemann, ?Martins' Passion? was recognized in January at the Festival International de Programmes Audivisuels (FIPA) in Biarritz, France, as the best film in the Musique et Spectacle category.

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[DudeAsInCool]

I admire people who are able to overcome physical handicaps to succeed. Remarkable...