Warkworth Music will host a special screening of the documentary Crossing Rachmaninoff at Matakana Cinemas on Sunday June 11.
The film will be an opportunity for concert goers to learn about the pianist Flavio Villani who will play at the Warkworth Town Hall on June 25.
Rebecca Tansley’s Crossing Rachmaninoff follows the Italian-born pianist as he prepares for a major performance with the Orchestra Filarmonica della Calabria that will confirm his arrival as a concert pianist and vindicate his decision to be a musician.
Mr Villani, who moved to New Zealand in 2008 to study piano performance at the University of Auckland under Stephen de Pledge, will be at the screening to introduce the film and answer questions.
The film follows him as he completes his studies and travels to the US and Italy where he spends time with his family.
The film also explores Mr Villani’s relationship with his strict Catholic family and their less than approving view of his lifestyle as a musician and a young gay man.
As he struggles to master Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, both technically and emotionally, he comes to understand the music through the demands of his teachers and his own desire for precision and empathy with the piece.
The documentary celebrates the power and beauty of music, and explores the fundamental need to be accepted for who we are.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased through the Warkworth Music website warkworthmusic.org.nz. There will be no box office sales.
The film will start at 4pm.
