Grades 7-12, College, Adult
Directed by Barbara Willis Sweete
Produced by Niv Fichman, Rhombus Media
DVD Purchase $79, Rent $45
US Release Date: 1998
Copyright Date: 1995
VHS ISBN: 1-56029-735-2
Subjects
Choreography
Creative Process
Dance
Humanities
Music
Performing Arts
Awards and Festivals
EMMY Award, Outstanding Special Effects
Best Performing Arts Program, Best Photography & Best Performance, Gemini Awards
Earthwatch Film Award
Silver WorldMedal, The New York Festivals
DESIRABLE: California Instructional Technology Clearinghouse
Silver Screen Award, US International Film & Video Festival
Bronze Plaque, Columbus International Film & Video Festival
Edinburgh International Film Festival
Festival International du Film Sur L'Art, Montreal
FIPA, France
Falling Down Stairs
Yo-Yo Ma With Mark Morris
Bach's 3rd Suite for Cello interpreted through dance.
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"The pairing with choreographer Morris...is particularly inspired." Time Magazine |
Falling Down Stairs follows an intense year-long collaboration between Yo-Yo Ma and choreographer Mark Morris, which culminates in a spectacular performance, conceived especially for film, of J. S. Bach's Suite No. 3 for Unaccompanied Cello as interpreted by Yo-Yo Ma and the 14-member Mark Morris Dance Group.
The film shows the intimacy, soul-searching and humor involved in the creative process, as Yo-Yo and Mark struggle to create a completely new work that can live up to the title "Inspired by Bach."
Other titles in the series are:
The Music Garden with Julie Moir Messervy - An exploration of Bach's music as interpreted through gardening.
The Sound of the Carceri with Piranesi - Yo-Yo Ma performs Bach in a virtual prison designed by Piranesi.
Sarabande with Atom Egoyan - Feature film maker Atom Egoyan weaves a tale inspired by Bach's 4th Cello Suite.
Struggle for Hope with Tamasaburo Bando - Kabuki actor Tamasaburo Bando interprets Bach.
Six Gestures with Torvill and Dean - Ice dancers Torvill and Dean interpret Bach's Suite No. 6.
Reviews
"The pairing with choreographer Morris...is particularly inspired...Anyone...can see how enthusiastically the cellist responds to Morris' fanciful choreography and hear how some of that unfeigned delight has made its way into Ma's rhythmically light-footed performance."
Time Magazine
"Visually exquisite."
Toronto Star
"Truly exciting."
Library Journal