Tocar Y Luchar

When I left to leave for the cinema, I had little expectation. I was eager to see this little unknown film, I was intrigued by the world I was going to enter, yet that was all I felt when we drove the miles to our destination. When people say there comes a time when they experience something that has changed them, that has deeply altered (or powerfully enhanced) their beliefs, I think you have to listen to them and try to understand rather than deny their zesty commotion. I am always a little unsure of lofty ideals, of beliefs that demand your attention and accuse others who do not wish to be involved, but what I viewed in the cinema yesterday was so far removed from that, was so celebratory of all kinds of different lives and experiences, that I feel I need to shout from the rooftops how wonderful this film is. I personally have never been so moved by a film. I was surrounded by other people who left stunned and quiet, and then as we walked the pathway back into fresh air and natural light, had words flying out of their mouths as their bellies, heads and hearts burst forth with emotion. All of us wanted to share what we had seen, we were almost a "community that comes together with the fundamental objective of agreeing with itself." Tocar Y Luchar (To Play and to Fight) is a film about the Venezuelan National Youth Orchestra, founded in the last 30 years, yet considered by many to be the most succesful youth orchestra system in the world today. Part of the reason this film moved me so much is due to the utter joy you felt when these children played their chosen instrument, whilst the orchestra, the conductor, the founders, encouraged a wonderful play ethic that made this vast orchestra have such a magical sense of union, of family. The optimism, the true passion you were given as you watched this film was enchanting yet is rarely seen, and I could not help but feel that part of the reason this orchestra is vastly successful in so many ways, is due to these children being fed this sanguinity, this confidence. The kids in the orchestra do not have idyllic lives, far from it. They often live in very deprived areas of South America and have limited access to cultural and educational opportunties that many of us have come to take for granted. Due partly to this, due to the fact they are used to having to fight for what they believe in, they seem to throw themselves with gusto into their music and their passion. José Antonio Abreu, the main founder of the orchestra and considered to be the "Maestro", says that music is like an invisible language, a language that can reach out, without words, to other human beings and generate a message, generate values that can profoundly transform spirit. If my emotions, my feelings are to be listened to, I felt so very much alive and hopeful after watching a group of people who wanted to enable their country and their children to lead more satisfying and rewarding lives and were asbolutely fulfilling that desire and need. It was as if I was given a big cinematic spoonful of faith in what humankind can do, what we could do to encourage more warmth and relish to infiltrate ours and others lives. It was beautiful, in every way possible, and I can simply try and urge you to seek it out if you have the chance.

I've already written Explorart to tell them how deeply affected I've been by this remarkable, outstanding film, and I've little to add to the already wonderful reviews on these pages. I'm about to purchase my third copy from Amazon, the ONLY place the film is available. I live in Guanajuato,Mexico, in a city of classical musicians, who pass around the one edition of "Tocar y Luchar" that someone managed to buy on-line in Venezuela. Why, oh why, is this miraculous work so hard to find? Why, I ask myself - especially as I manage a string quintet - can't Mexico follow the example of Venezuela? Music is the only art that creates something out of "nothing" - out of air - sound...the music of the spheres, if you like. Only through music can the hearts of every man, woman and child be touched without words, even, as the project reveals, for those who can't hear. I believe that "Tocar y Luchar" can open up those hearts in the same way. On witnessing the spiritual vision of Antonio José Abreu, so beautifully understood and captured by Alberto Arvelo, I felt, for the first time in years, a stirring of real hope for this world. The founders of the project were equally stirred, and the entire project is finally, after 30 years, being talked about here. BUT, without this award-winning film, I believe it would have passed the country by. Not even MixUp Mexico can find it. And those poor souls who complained of its "technical flaws" on the IMDB have completely missed the point. If I had the ability to help, I'd jump on the next plane to Caracas to help the cause! If Claudio Abbado, the world's most sensitive and loving conductor, who understands the energy of young musicians, can be so deeply moved as to support the project whole-heartedly; if Sir Simon Rattle can be so articulate with his praise; if Placido Domingo, along with Abbado, can't stifle his tears, then why isn't this film in every town, every pueblo, every country? Director Arvelo has done the world a great service in making this documentary, and the ripple-effect can only continue if more places make it available to a hungry population of music lovers. Indeed, Mahler would have been proud. Thank you, a million times over, Exploart and Amazon, for at least making this work available to a few.

A powerful documentary about an important musical and social phenomenon. Well put together with some great concert footage and moving film of children's lives transformed by music.

I purchased this video to write a graduate philosophical research project about Dr. Abreu, entitled El Sistema: Social Program or Music School? As a music educator, the story is remarkable and encouraging for the state of orchestras and classical music throughout the world. However, Americans must evaluate it in real terms. This is first and foremost a social program, with a socialist slant, to give the poorest of Venezuela hope, skills and self-determination to reach beyond their current situation. The orchestra happens to be the vehicle, and the music a happy bi-product. For this to be recreated world-wide, government support in both financial and political terms would be a necessity. The performance of Bernstein's "Mambo" is enough to make the DVD worth the purchase. The absolute joy in performing and pride in achievement is evident on the faces of the orchestra members. I wish I could have been there in person just to see Dudamel conduct. Remarkable performance! I will use this in my classroom for inspiration, and days when I have no voice. There are many lessons my overindulged students can learn from this DVD.