Paul Dessau

1967

30m

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Overview

The film’s subtitle identifies it as a “study of the constructive discontent of a composer”. It is a portrait of the pugnacious musician Paul Dessau (1894 – 1979), who was controversial in East Germany, as a teacher. It follows the composer as he rehearses the “Bach Variations” with the Berlin state opera orchestra, as well during classes at the Polytechnic School I in Zeuthen, where he strives to teach the students a critical attitude. In an interview, Dessau bemoans the simplification of artistic media and elucidates the meaning and necessity of “hard sounds in an era that is not soft”. As we see when he works, “pleasure requires effort” … “art is never comfortable. Building socialism is not comfortable at all. That’s why I’m in favour of the uncomfortable”.

Status: Released

Language: DE

Production Information

Production Companies

DEFA-Studio für Dokumentarfilme

Production Countries

East Germany Germany

Spoken Languages

German

Quick Facts

Release Date	August 10, 1967
Status	Released
Language	DE

Cast

Paul Dessau

Himself

Key Crew

Richard Cohn-Vossen

Director

Richard Cohn-Vossen

Writer

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