The Music Lovers (1971)

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:

nymphomaniac | piano | homosexuality | piano teacher | homosexual | 

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Genres:

Biography | Comedy | Drama | Music

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English French

Release Date:

12 February 1971 (France)

Also Known As:

The Lonely Heart

Filming Locations:

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

Box Office

Budget:

£1,600,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Russ-Arts, Russ Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

123 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The extras playing (miming) the orchestra in the scene featuring Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky playing the 1st Piano Concerto were mostly from the Bristol University Music Department Orchestra. They were paid 7 guineas a day (£7 and 7 shillings) each - the extras in the audience were only on 5 guineas. The scene was filmed in the Music Room of Bath Spa.

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Quotes

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

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Connections

Referenced in Mahler (1974)

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Soundtracks

THE LETTER SONG
from EUGENE ONEGIN
Written by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Vocalist: April Cantelo

User Reviews

A few boring moments, many terrific ones.

Although this film is difficult to follow at times (and, reportedly, historically inaccurate, too; I wouldn't know), there are still several reasons to see it:

1) Glenda Jackson's outstanding performance (you won't believe that the actress we see at the final stages of the film is the same one who played Tchaikovsky's wife early on, but it is - her transformation is amazing).

2) Some truly impressive sequences; be sure to watch this movie on tape, so you can rewind it and watch them again.

3) Tchaikovsky's music, of course.

4) Lush sets and costumes.

Ken Russell is a very unpredictable director; just when you think the film is about to start boring you, he'll give you a wonderful moment out of nowhere.