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

Some of the interior scene's of Madame Nadedja von Meck estate would later be used in 'Stanley Kubrick''s _Barry Lyndon_.

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Quotes

Madame Nadedja von Meck: [concerning Antonina] She'll ruin you! She'll ruin you . . .

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Connections

Version of It Was a Gay Ballnight (1939)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Ken Russell at full tilt.

"The Music Lovers" captures the Ken Russell style at its best. It's a full blown expression of his romanticized, shocking, exaggerated biographies, previously seen in black and white, low-budget BBC productions (more adequately financed here thanks to the success of "Women In Love"). Russell's excessive style contrasts the supreme beauty of Tchaikovsky's music with the turbulent, tormented, messy life from which it arose. The visual flights of fancy succeed in conveying the musical transcendence. Performances go way over the top, but the treatment calls for it. Richard Chamberlain bravely goes where few actors would in 1970. Glenda Jackson is absolutely fearless. She'll do whatever it takes, from writhing around nude to shaving her head. There's no denying the film is a deliberate assault on the senses, but thoughtful viewers will leave with much to contemplate and digest. I should not omit the fact that it's highly entertaining as well.