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Behind The Strings

The Shanghai Quartet Documentary Film

With a Q&A with Executive Producer Michael Peroff after the film.

When Mao’s Cultural Revolution ended, China’s door cracked open. Four young, classically trained musicians seized the opportunity to flee to the West and form the Shanghai String Quartet. Relocated to the United States to play the music they love, the quartet has performed for 38 years in the U.S. and around the world. Hal Rifkin’s BEHIND THE STRINGS  tells the story of the formation, rise, and success of the Shanghai String Quartet, the price they had to pay to stay on top, and their triumphant return to China to play the music that they love and was previously banned.

In 1989, they became the quartet-in-residence at the University of Richmond before they landed themselves at Montclair State’s own John J. Cali School of Music, where they performed and taught for over 20 years. You will enjoy this intimate and interesting award-winning film. 

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