"Great Musicians of Our Time" Offers Intimate Portraits of Six Extraordinary Classical Music Artists

A new documentary series launching on PBS this October offers a rare, close-up look at six of the most iconic figures in classical music. Titled GREAT MUSICIANS OF OUR TIME, the series spans six episodes, each devoted to a different artist whose contributions have left a lasting mark on the genre.

The series kicks off with an exploration of violinist Itzhak Perlman’s illustrious career. Utilizing footage shot between 1975 and 1977, viewers are taken behind the scenes into Perlman’s personal and professional life, including his family home in New York and international concert tours alongside fellow violinist Pinchas Zukerman. Highlights include performances of Sarasate’s "Zigeunerweisen" and Beethoven sonatas, underscoring Perlman’s technical mastery and emotional depth.

Following Perlman's episode, the series turns to Pinchas Zukerman, whose career has spanned over five decades as a violinist, violist, and conductor. The documentary chronicles Zukerman’s formative years, featuring rare recordings from his childhood and early performances across Europe, Israel, and the United States. It also sheds light on his evolving relationship with the English Chamber Orchestra, marking the beginnings of his conducting career.

Subsequent episodes delve into the lives of other legendary musicians. Vladimir Ashkenazy’s episode traces his journey from the Soviet Union to Western Europe, capturing his growth through archival concert footage and reflective interviews. Ashkenazy’s story highlights both his artistic development and the broader cultural shifts of his era.

Russian pianist Evgeny Kissin’s profile captures his meteoric rise as a prodigy, culminating in his groundbreaking solo recital at the Royal Albert Hall’s Promenade Concert in 1997. This event, notable for its unprecedented series of encores, cemented Kissin’s status as a classical music sensation.

The series also pays homage to Andrés Segovia, the Spanish guitarist credited with elevating the guitar to concert stage prominence. Over a career lasting nearly eight decades, Segovia’s relentless advocacy expanded the classical guitar repertoire and transformed public perception of the instrument.

The final episode focuses on Daniil Trifonov, a contemporary Russian pianist celebrated for his virtuosic skill and artistic versatility. Born in 1991, Trifonov blends composition, improvisation, and performance into a seamless musical experience, showcased through live renditions of Chopin, Ravel, Scriabin, Strauss, and Rachmaninov.

GREAT MUSICIANS OF OUR TIME was conceived as a tribute to filmmaker Christopher Nupen, whose pioneering work in the 1960s introduced intimate, behind-the-scenes classical music films. Nupen’s innovative use of lightweight 16mm cameras allowed audiences unprecedented access to musicians’ creative processes, influencing generations of musical documentaries.

PBS will make the series available simultaneously via broadcast and streaming platforms, including PBS.org and the PBS app, ensuring wide accessibility. This release continues PBS’s tradition of delivering educational and culturally significant content to diverse audiences across the United States.

The series production is led by Allegro Films with Christopher Nupen directing and narrating. Executive production is overseen by Caroline Nupen alongside series producer Matthew Percival. While the profiles are rich with archival footage and personal reflections, the series also serves as an archival testament to classical music’s enduring legacies and evolving narratives.

Through these six portraits, GREAT MUSICIANS OF OUR TIME offers not only a celebration of extraordinary talent but also a window into the artistic journeys that have shaped classical music’s modern landscape. The series invites viewers to experience the personal and professional worlds of these musicians, capturing moments of brilliance that continue to inspire and influence.