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Virtuoso: The Olga Samaroff Story
Narrated by Frederica von Stade
| Length: | 60 min |
| Released: | 2010 |
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In the early twentieth century, any American musician who aspired to an international concert career had to first acquire a European education and reputation. So it was with talented Texas-born pianist, Olga Samaroff (1880‒1948) originally born Lucy Hickenlooper in San Antonio. Stifled by sentiments against Americans as musicians and Old World prejudices against women in particular, Virtuoso traces Lucy Hickenooper’s metamorphosis from obscurity to fame.
Sixteen-year-old Lucy became the first American woman to attend the prestigious Conservatoire de Musique in Paris before continuing her studies in Berlin. After a disastrous marriage to a Russian naval attaché who forbade her to perform, she fled to New York, changed her name, and pursued her dream of becoming a concert pianist. On borrowed money, she hired the New York Symphony and rented Carnegie Hall for her American debut. She soon became the most successful woman concert pianist of her time.
In 1911 she married legendary conductor Leopold Stokowski, whose career she fostered, but the marriage did not survive his notorious womanizing. In 1923, Samaroff became the first American-born piano faculty member at the new Juilliard School, where she helped to launch the careers of many prominent American pianists. Archival footage and dazzling performances create a rich look into the musical world of the early twentieth century and a colorful portrait of a daring and innovative woman.
Sixteen-year-old Lucy became the first American woman to attend the prestigious Conservatoire de Musique in Paris before continuing her studies in Berlin. After a disastrous marriage to a Russian naval attaché who forbade her to perform, she fled to New York, changed her name, and pursued her dream of becoming a concert pianist. On borrowed money, she hired the New York Symphony and rented Carnegie Hall for her American debut. She soon became the most successful woman concert pianist of her time.
In 1911 she married legendary conductor Leopold Stokowski, whose career she fostered, but the marriage did not survive his notorious womanizing. In 1923, Samaroff became the first American-born piano faculty member at the new Juilliard School, where she helped to launch the careers of many prominent American pianists. Archival footage and dazzling performances create a rich look into the musical world of the early twentieth century and a colorful portrait of a daring and innovative woman.
"An engaging portrait of a remarkable life, accompanied by archive footage and stills, musical illustrations and interviews with, among others, her daughter Sonya Stokowski Thorbecke and pupils Maurice Hinston and Jerome Lowenthal."
‒International Pianist
"Validates the far-reaching influence of one person's contribution to musical society. . . Highly recommended."
‒Steven Hall, Clavier Companion
"A riveting beautiful film that reveals the incredible story of a woman of immense talent, charisma, and influence."
‒Garrick Ohlsson, International concert pianist
‒International Pianist
"Validates the far-reaching influence of one person's contribution to musical society. . . Highly recommended."
‒Steven Hall, Clavier Companion
"A riveting beautiful film that reveals the incredible story of a woman of immense talent, charisma, and influence."
‒Garrick Ohlsson, International concert pianist
REMI Winner, Worldfest, Houston, 2010
Grand Festival Award, Berkeley Video and Film Festival. 2010
Ojai International Film Festival, 2010
Alexandria Film Festival. 2010
Grand Festival Award, Berkeley Video and Film Festival. 2010
Ojai International Film Festival, 2010
Alexandria Film Festival. 2010
