OperaPremiered 2023
Synopsis
Mariss Jansons: A Tale of Four Orchestras is a documentary portrait of the legendary Latvian conductor Mariss Jansons (1943–2019), told through the voices of the musicians who served under his baton. The film traces Jansons' transformative leadership of four world-class orchestras: the Oslo Philharmonic, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam, and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. Through archival performances, interviews with orchestra members, and intimate reflections from those who knew him, the documentary reveals the profound artistic and emotional bonds Jansons forged with each ensemble. Musicians speak of his ability to elevate orchestral sound to transcendent levels, describing their relationship with him as one of deep love and mutual artistic purpose. The film captures the essence of Jansons' conducting philosophy—his relentless pursuit of excellence, his generosity as a mentor, and the ineffable "magic" he created on stage. It stands as a moving tribute to a conductor whose legacy continues to resonate through the orchestras he shaped and the musicians whose lives he touched.