Pianomania
-the timeless-piano-project-“Pianomania” was internationally one of the most successful documentaries. This full-length film was seen in cinemas by around 6 million people around the world.
A day’s work for a few seconds of film history. From left to right:: Akiko Yamada, Jerzy Palacz, Joanna Piechota, Robert Cibis
Triumph at the Berlinale
“For more than a year, “Pianomania” was presented at all major film festivals around the world, e. g. being the first documentary to be shown in the German Cinema section of the Berlinale. Previously, this section was only reserved for feature films. The motion picture has won an award in every competition in which it has participated. The most important ones: main awards in Locarno (Semaine de la Critique) and in San Francisco (Golden Gate Award), as well as the German Film Award (Lola) for the best sound design.
Worldwide success
Moreover, the documentary had a commercial theatrical release in more than 25 countries and was screened at events all over the world, on more than 50 TV channels and the sales figures for DVD and VOD are very high – in Germany alone, more than 15,000 DVDs have been sold so far. In addition, the film is on TV in over 100 countries. Approximately 6 million people have seen this full-length film.
Looking for the perfect picture: Joanna Piechota, Robert Cibis, Jerzy Palacz
Unconditional pursuit of the highest quality
Many spectators could identify with giving everything to develop the perfect sound, with the aim of achieving the best possible result for a concert or a music recording.
In a unique way, the theme “In search of the perfect sound” unites the unconditional pursuit of the highest quality with strong emotionality: experienced passion, the visibility of failure, doubt and real suffering that finally leads to success.
Spectacular: recordings from inside the grand piano
The feature film “Pianomania” has won an award in every competition in which it has participated and leads many young professionals to the underestimated métier of our hero.
A thrilling documentary about people who have given themselves over to the pursuit of the perfect sound: instructive, intelligent, and amusing. Besides, we also learn that concert pianos are sold like racehorses to admirers around the world.
The pianist behind the perfect pictures: Akiko Yamada
Perfect synchronized play: Akiko Yamada
Previously unreleased footage
Robert Cibis, the co-director of “Pianomania“, has made the original trailer from 2003 available exclusively to the readers of piano-duo.blog. With this short film the authors had advertised at that time for the financing of the film before the shooting started
The excerpts show the preparation of the grand piano for the live recordings of the Beethoven Piano Concertos 4 & 5 with Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Pierre-Laurent Aimard and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. These concerts took place at the Styriarte in the Stefaniensaal in Graz. The trailer presents unique, previously unpublished scenes! Many thanks to Ovalmedia!
