From Mao to Mozart: Isaac Stern in China

  • Documentary
  • Music
  • Family
2/23/1981
84

Storyline

A beautiful expression of two differing cultures brought together by the warmth and dedication of a great musician and humanitarian. In 1979, as China re-opened its doors to the West, virtuoso Isaac Stern received an unprecedented government invitation to tour the country. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2000.

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      Cast

      Reviews

      • Geronimo1967

        Ill admit to being a bit confused as to the purpose of this documentary. It follows a select tour by Ukrainian-born American violinist Isaac Stern to communist China where he meets some of their prodigiously talented young folk who are adept at just about everything from playing musical instruments to table tennis to gymnastics. The one thing he seems to want to identify and correct is a certain rigidity with their playing styles, but that often leads to what appears to present a rather condescending approach to their skills. Hence my confusion. Is he there to impart his Western techniques on the Chinese or to see how they have embraced and adapted European classical music to their own style of music? We visit some Chinese opera and again, ...

        October 17, 2025

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