Clara Haskil: Le mystère de l'interprète

“I have known three geniuses in my life: Einstein, Churchill, and Clara Haskil.”
— Charlie Chaplin

These flattering words from Charlie Chaplin belie both a deep friendship with and genuine admiration for Clara Haskil. Arguably one of the greatest pianists of all time, generations of musicians keep coming back to Haskil for her emotive interpretations. Though her international recognition came late, the final decade of her life was marked by extraordinary success: sold-out tours across the globe and critically acclaimed recordings of Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert. Her playing was a revelation in itself: authentic and fragile, yet bold, with phrasing so intimate it seemed to speak directly to the listener. This purity of expression stood in poignant contrast to her frail body, ravaged by the hardships of two world wars and years of illness. Her career began as a ten-year-old Romanian prodigy who could reproduce the piano’s greatest masterpieces entirely by ear, to becoming La Grande Dame de la Musique, and later even a Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honor. Regardless of perceived status, Clara Haskil’s genius was always accompanied by profound humility. In this 2017 documentary, directors Pascal Cling, Prune Jaillet, and Pierre-Olivier François lift the veil on the mystery surrounding this extraordinary artist. Discover the woman whose artistry continues to set the standard for pianists around the world.