The Music Lovers (1970)

Piano teacher Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky struggles against his homosexuality by marrying, but unfortunately he chooses a nymphomaniac whom he cannot satisfy.

Director:

Ken Russell

Writers:

Melvyn Bragg (screenplay), Catherine Drinker Bowen (book),

Stars:

Richard Chamberlain, Glenda Jackson, Max Adrian

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Chamberlain	...	Tchaikovsky
Glenda Jackson	...	Nina (Antonina Milyukova)
Max Adrian	...	Nicholas Rubinstein
Christopher Gable	...	Count Anton Chiluvsky
Kenneth Colley	...	Modeste Tchaikovsky
Izabella Telezynska	...	Madame Nadedja von Meck
Maureen Pryor	...	Nina's Mother
Sabina Maydelle	...	Sasha Tchaikovsky
Andrew Faulds	...	Davidov
Bruce Robinson	...	Alexei Sofronov
Ben Aris	...	Young Lieutenant
Xavier Russell	...	Koyola
Dennis Myers	...	Von Meck, twin
John Myers	...	Von Meck, twin
Joanne Brown	...	Olga Bredska

Storyline

The compelling and bizarre story of Tchaikovsky's life and music. In Ken Russell's own words: "It's the story of the marriage between a homosexual and a nymphomaniac."

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Plot Keywords:

tchaikovsky | nymphomaniac | piano teacher | homosexual | wheat threshing | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Music

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English French

Release Date:

12 February 1971 (France)

Also Known As:

Ken Russell's Film on Tchaikovsky and the Music Lovers

Filming Locations:

Pump Room, Roman Baths, Bath, Somerset, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

£1,600,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Russ-Arts

Technical Specs

Runtime:

123 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Glenda Jackson (Nina) and Andrew Faulds (Davidov) would later serve together as Labour MPs in the British House of Commons from 1992 to 1997. Jackson was the MP for Hampstead & Highgate from 1992 to 2010 and for Hampstead & Kilburn since 2010 whereas Faulds was the MP for Smetwick from 1966 to February 1974 and for Warley East from February 1974 to 1997.

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Quotes

Modeste Tchaikovsky: I've got a title for your symphony: "The Pathetic". If it really is all about you. It's so much more fitting than "The Tragic". Just "Symphony #6 in B minor: The Pathetic".

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Connections

Referenced in Moulin Rouge! (2001)

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Soundtracks

"PIANO CONCERTO IN B FLAT MINOR"
(slow movement)
Piano soloist: Raphael Orozco

User Reviews

A Visceral Punch

"Music Lovers" has long been labored over as another of Ken Russell extravagant excess baggages. Seeing it again has made me realize that the film is rather brilliant--not in cinema style but in conception. From the very start it seems to capture the schizoid world of Tsaichovsky and the social milleau he was forced to grip with. The point of view shots and the subsequent dream sequences in the early portion of the film capture this in brilliant colors and sharp editing. As the musician falls into his double life the scnes build to the scarring climax. Performances are excellent. The film may not be totally accurate, but who cares?