Film review: ‘KNOWING THE SCORE’ by Nick Gardener from ‘Built For Speed’

The Australian documentary, Knowing The Score might be dubbed the story of a real-life Tar as it follows the life and career of Australian conductor, Simone Young.  This is apparently a coincidence as Young wasn’t a direct influence on Tar although that film’s star, Cate Blanchett is a producer here.  While, on one level, Knowing the Score is the story of a woman battling to break into and maintain respect within a very male-dominated world, it’s more about the nitty gritty of doing the job of conductor.

The film interweaves past and present, moving back and forth from scenes of Young’s early career to 2022 as she prepares to make her return to the pinnacle of classical music in Australia, conducting Mahler for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

Using extensive file footage taken from ABC arts programs, 60 minutes and even Midday With Kerri Anne, we see Simone’s ascent from piano prodigy and nascent conductor under the revered Stuart Challender in Sydney to conducting the great orchestras of Europe in Berlin and Vienna in the 90’s. She was one of the first women to ever break into this male-centred world. Apparently, the Berlin Philharmonic only admitted women into its ranks in 1997.

While her career is marked by triumphs, there are also disappointments such the termination of her role as Director of Opera Australia after disagreements with management about its direction. That’s the biggest moment of personal drama in this documentary as Simone appears to have lived quite a normal and stable life. Not that we would wish difficulties on people but it does mean the film lacks a little dramatic tension.

As a study of a music professional, though, it is fascinating. The film provides great insights into the working life of a conductor and the role they play in sculpting an orchestra’s sound. In her matter-of-fact Aussie style, Simone compares herself to a sports coach. She also tends to downplay her status as a trailblazer for women and just wishes to be known as a conductor not a ‘woman conductor’.

It’s on the podium that we see a more complex and confronting personality. She interrogates every note of these vast symphonies by Mahler, Strauss and Tchaikovsky, tweaking the performances to achieve the exact sound she requires. The players describe her approach as direct and demanding but also respectful and inspiring. Her performance of Mahler’s second symphony here is astounding.  Not only is there a feast of great classical music on offer in this film but we’re also treated to a work from indigenous composer William Barton who gave a stunning performance on Q and A recently.

This isn’t an earth shatteringly dramatic or confronting story, instead it’s a celebration of a remarkable talent and the world she inhabits.  Few, though, would leave the cinema not wishing to explore Simone’s career and the great works she conducts.

Nick’s rating: ***1/2

Genre: Documentary/biopic

Classification:  PG.

Director(s): Janine Hosking.

Release date: 16th Feb 2023..

Running time:  94 mins.

Reviewer: Nick Gardener can be heard on “Built For Speed” every Friday night from 8-10pm on 88.3 Southern FM.

 

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