The Bowmakers
The story of the most important instrument you’ve never heard of.
8
3 votes
September 27, 2019
1h 46m
Overview
This documentary film explores the world of the bow and the extraordinary masters who make them. The bow is the Cinderella of the orchestra—the overworked and overshadowed ally to its more glamorous partners. Few people, even among lovers of classical music, think of the bow as an instrument in its own right, but players of stringed instruments see them differently. To musicians, the bow is as essential to expressing the soul of the music as the violin or cello. The film follows the journey of the “silent servant” of the music world—from the workshops of the virtuosos of the trade, to the birthplace of the bow in France, and to Brazil, home to the imperiled tree from which the world’s finest bows are made.
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Where to watch
In United States
Free
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Cast
Charles Espey
Self, bow-makerPaul Siefried
Self, bow-makerRobert Morrow
Self, bow-makerOle Kanestrom
Self, bow-makerCody Kowalski
Self, bow-makerStéphane Tomachot
Self, bow-makerJoséphine Tomachot
Self, bow-makerNoel Burke
Self, bow-makerJohnny Gandelsman
Self, violinist, Brooklyn RiderColin Jacobsen
Self, violinist, Brooklyn RiderNicholas Cords
Self, violist, Brooklyn RiderMichael Nicolas
Self, cellist, Brooklyn RiderJoel Link
Self, violinist, Dover QuartetBryan Lee
Self, violinist, Dover QuartetMilena Pajaro-van de Stadt
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