A masterful portrait of this British cellist at the peak of her powers. Her signature performance of the Elgar cello concerto comprises the last half-hour of the film. It does not disappoint. There is an unfortunate melancholy that blankets the footage of Du Pré's vibrant youth. We viewers know her future: she will eventually be hobbled by M.S., no longer able to play her beloved cello. But knowledge of this makes the film all the more vital. It captures some of her finest musical moments in the midst of her ascent to prominence.
It's always surprising to me how vast the world of music is. Prior to last week, I had never even heard of Jacqueline Du Pré. Call me a Philistine if you must, but my musical education has not ended! There are always more great artists waiting to be discovered, and my ears remain open.
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