Movie: “Tar”

As I have mentioned many times, I love classical music. So, I was more than happy to watch Cate Blanchett (age 53) star in “Tar,” which was written and directed by Todd Field (age 59), who wrote the movie exclusively for Blanchett.

“Tar” tells the story about Lydia Tar, who is a fictional world famous composer and conductor. She has an impressive resume, which lists conductor positions with the Chicago Symphony, New York Philharmonic, and finally the Berlin Philharmonic. While in Berlin, she rehearses Mahler’s Fifth Symphony, which is to be recorded. To accompany this work, she decides to also include Elgar’s Cello Concerto. Meanwhile, her marriage to Sharon, the Berlin Philharmonic concertmaster, unravels as Tar is romantically linked to Krista, an aspiring conductor, who commits suicide, and to Olga, who is the soloist for the Elgar Cello Concerto. Her scandalous lesbian relationships result in her being dismissed as conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic and ostracized from Europe and America. Devastated, she ends up conducting an orchestra in the Philippines.

Outstanding story and performance! I can see why “Tar” has received so many Oscar nominations. For this movie, Cate Blanchett had to learn how to play the piano, conduct, and speak German. She emotes as she conducts the orchestra during rehearsal, striving to wring every nuance from the music.

These are photos I took of scenes from my TV.

Lydia Tar conducts the Berlin Philharmonic during rehearsal of the Mahler Fifth Symphony:

See how she emotes while conducting:

This is Tar’s wife, Sharon, who is also the concertmaster of the orchestra:

This is Olga, who is the soloist for the Elgar Cello Concerto. Tar is attracted to her sexually:

Tar ends up conducting an orchestra in the Philippines, having been ostracized from Europe and America because of her scandalous lesbian relationships:

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I have always felt that music expresses what words cannot possibly express. Music touches the soul. It brings joy. It brings sorrow. Music is never boring. It’s there to touch the listener in such a deep, poignant way.

We loved “Tar” so much that we ordered French cellist Jacqueline du Pre’s recording of Elgar’s Cello Concerto. We look forward to hearing it. We already have Mahler’s Fifth Symphony.

Further, I ordered a set of violin strings from Amazon. My E string broke and has to be replaced. I shall soon be playing my violin again. Yes, my right rotator cuff has healed sufficiently to play.

As you can see, “Tar” has inspired me as a violinist and as a music lover. It’s definitely worth watching.

We saw it on Peacock, but it is also in theaters.