High Fidelity – The Adventures Of The Guarneri
String Quartet (1989/First Run
Features DVD)
Picture:
C Sound: C+ Extras: C- Film: B-
Allan
Miller has become a director of music documentaries over the years and his
first was the noteworthy and decent High
Fidelity – The Adventures Of The Guarneri String Quartet (1989) about the
four-member unit recording the history, interaction and process of how they
(John Dalley, David Soyer, Arnold Steinhardt & Michael Tree) work together
without getting on each other’s nerves.
It turns out to not always be easy.
Formed in 1964, they are reportedly retiring in 2009 after so much work
together.
Of
course, there are many moments of them playing the music at a time where that
seemed rarer and they can certainly play.
It is amusing to watch them debate the difference in half-notes and the
creative process is shown in a sometimes awkward, sometimes engaging way. We also learn about the men and their
backgrounds. This runs 85 minutes and is
pretty good for its length. Now it is
finally out on DVD.
The 1.33
X 1 image was shot on what looks like 16mm film, but is soft, detail-challenged
and a little faded. The Dolby Digital
2.0 Stereo is faint, but a little better than the picture, though it could sue
some work. Extras include trailer
gallery and brief “about” text on Walter Scheuer, Allan Miller and The Guarneri
String Quartet.
- Nicholas Sheffo
