Rating: 
Summary: Interesting to watch but...
Review: ...Nadja rather clearly is self-possesed to an extreme...and although her playing is very good it does not rank with Chung, Mutter or even Midori...and the histrionics associated with her live performances are exhausting to view and offer no argument that she has some profound insight into the music being performed...so, if so inclined, watch this video for the "performance" by the subject but not for the performance of music.
Rating: 
Summary: Breathtaking!!!
Review: After catching part of this documentary on HBO, I had to go out and bought it.
Not only is Nadja one (if not the most) talented violinist I have ever heard but the documentary drove me so close to her that you I felt enchanted by her music. She is an amazing musician and even more extraordinary woman.
The documentary allows you to experience all the pain, stress and glory of being a classical musician. Nadja, you are Breathtaking!
Rating:
Summary: Honest, sometimes frightening
Review: Here we have a warts-and-all documentary of one of the greatest violinists of our day. In addition to her superb playing, we see all sides of Nadja -- charming, annoying, frightening. A riveting production that I will watch again and again.
Rating:
Summary: Five stars all the way
Review: How could anyone who loves the violin rate this at less than five stars? Nadja's passionate playing leaves me quite breathless.
Rating:
Summary: WHAT A MUSICIAN!!!
Review: I came home from the opera one day, and my family said that I should watch this program on Nadja Sonnenberg. This interested me greatly being an aspiring violist for 6 years. I expected the documentary to be about her accomplishments and how great of a violinist she is. I was very surprised! Watching Nadja play, and listening to her story made me fall in love with classical music all over again. She told how hard it was being a woman in the classical music scene. The critics bashed her in the beginning until they saw what hidden talent was in her fingers. Nadja plays with so much emotion it is impossible for me to describe, but all i can say is watch the movie!!!!! She left the audience jealous of her talent, and inspired with her words of wisdom. The best part about this documentary is that you saw this virtuoso as a real person who had problems throughout her life. Every time I pick up my instrument I try to play with as much emotion as Nadja does. She has definately been an inspiration to me since I watched "Speaking in Strings.
Rating: 
Summary: Sad...
Review: I have to agree with the previous low rating. This is a fascinating documentary to watch, but , curiously, at the same time, difficult. This woman is so grossly obsessed with her narrow universe that she has squeezed whatever joy she should have from her success out of her life. Sad.
Rating:
Summary: Talented and Troubled
Review: I watched this movie with a sense of awe I have not felt for any other musician. Not only does Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg have a great sense of humor, she if overflowing with creativity and pure sassiness. Beneath her animated surface there also seems to be a hurricane of emotions which finds its release in her dynamic musical career. It is as if Nadja becomes the music she is playing or is it just that the music possesses her? She is intense in her original interpretation and hauntingly expressive style. The music does not seem to be coming from the violin, but from deep within Nadja. You have to ask yourself why anyone so talented and filled with sensitivity would consider ending their life. Especially when you are one of the world's preeminent violinists. I believe personally that very creative people can also be struggling from a deep depression or unfulfilled longing of the soul. While Nadja sought obvious release through her playing, I think writers find the same expression through words. Both can alternate between utter hopelessness and extreme creativity. At times writing and music almost seem to be "born of pain." What is so powerful about her story is how her mother tells her it takes courage to be happy. How true! It is far easier to give up in light of your circumstances. It takes a deep inner strength and sense of hope to continue in life when you would rather give up. Yet what a talent she has. While her talents were unquestionable at the time, her talent for living still needed to be developed. She had a passion for music, but no passion for life. Not only do we learn how Nadja's father abandoned her family when she was a very young child, we also learn about her regret of never meeting her father. It seems from what she says in this documentary, work was first in her life and she put health and love second and third. She might be interested to know that smokers have a higher risk of developing depression. In the movie, she seemed to be a chain smoker. "Cries of the Heart" by Ravi Zacharias might be helpful for anyone going through what Nadja seems to have experienced. "Manic Depression and Creativity" by D. Jablow Hershman discusses Beethoven and other great talents through the ages. The Omega-3 Connection by Andrew L. Stoll would also be worth a read as nutrition is always important. Where does the love come from when you can't supply it yourself? What makes life worth living when even your own amazing talent isn't satisfying the longings of the soul? Nadja says she believes in God, but at times he seems really busy. There is definitely a difference between knowing there is a God and having a relationship with him. Or at least a reason for living that goes beyond this temporary existence. This musician's life shows how material success and fame means little when maybe what we all really want is love and a happy healthy life. Not to mention hope in this life and hope for the life beyond. I truly hope Nadja has found peace and ways to deal with the sheer explosion of creativity surging from her very soul. An eccentric, wild and unorthodox story of a musician's passionate existence. TheRebeccaReview.com
Rating: 
Summary: Found it lacking
Review: This documentary seems to be more about Nadja the person than about Nadja the artist. Maybe the two are inseperable, but I was left wondering what a sick cat, alligator hunting, or a hot air balloon ride has to do with playing the violin. We're deluged with stories of her near self amputation of her left hand pinky, her father's abandonment, her chain smoking, her stalker, her suicide attempt, her mysterious failed "romance" (not too hard to read between the lines here), and her tomboy childhood in New York, but left wanting for more information on her musical background. It seems that this is more about a tormented soul who plays the violin than about a violinist who has personal demons to combat. A more fitting title might have been Nadja Salerno Sonnenberg - A Study in Manic Depression.
The quality of the video is less than professional. Much of it looks as though it was shot with a camcorder back in the 80s. The audio quality isn't much better, and the audio mix is horrible. I had to turn the volume up to a ridiculous level to hear. The only extras you get on the DVD are a short bio on NSS, a list of credits, and promos for other videos. The producers missed a great chance here to offer the viewer a quality performance video with no commentary.
Having said all of that, I still give the documentary 4 stars because of the superb playing that is presented. Several excerpts of Sonnenberg playing Tchaikovsky, Sibelius, Paganini, Shostakovich, Bach, and Mendellsohn are included, both in performance and rehearsal. There are also plenty of clips of her interacting with chamber music members, which is rare for an artist of her magnitude. You can't deny her enormous talent, even if her presentation makes you uncomfortable.
Rating:
Summary: Found it lacking
Review: This documentary seems to be more about Sonja the person than about Sonja the artist. Maybe the two are inseperable, but I was left wondering what a sick cat, alligator hunting, or a hot air balloon ride has to do with playing the violin. We're deluged with stories of her near self amputation of her left hand pinky, her father's abandonment, her chain smoking, her stalker, her suicide attempt, her mysterious failed "romance" (not too hard to read between the lines here), and her tomboy childhood in New York, but left wanting for more information on her musical background. It seems that this is more about a tormented soul who plays the violin than about a violinist who has personal demons to combat. A more fitting title might have been Nadja Solerno Sonnenberg - A Study in Manic Depression. The quality of the video is less than professional. Much of it looks as though it was shot with a HI8 camcorder back in the 80s. The audio quality isn't much better, and the audio mix is horrible. I had to turn the volume up to a ridiculous level to hear. The only extras you get on the DVD are a short bio on NSS and promos for other videos. The producers missed a great chance here to offer the viewer a quality performance video with no commentary. Having said all of that, I still give the documentary 4 stars because of the superb playing that is presented. Several excerpts of Sonnenberg playing Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, Bach, and Mendellsohn are included, both in performance and rehearsal. There are also plenty of clips of her interacting with chamber music members, which is rare for an artist of her magnitude. You can't deny her enormous talent, even if her presentation makes you uncomfortable.
Rating:
Summary: Nadja Rocks
Review: This film, while giving the impression of exploring NSS's turbulent life and her continuous metamorphosis to a better version of herself, actually emphasizes her enigma. And what's more interesting, you do not realize this until you watch the movie again. P>Okay, maybe it's just me. But NSS's "existential crisis" was triggered by a love gone wrong, and you have to take her word for it, but you don't know much more about it. What kind of love could bring this brilliant person (or anyone else, for that matter) so much pain and desperation? That part seems to be held back on purpose, and its absence was very obvious. And then, also, maybe it's justme, but you just want to reach out and give the big kid inside this prodigy a big hug... The editing was brilliant - you have to watch the movie more than once to get the chronology in order (if you want to read into it more than necessary, as I do) and to understand NSS' evolutions. At the very least, the movie makes you appreciate classical music as a visual performance (rather than merely audio). Although when NSS plays that violin, you can just close your eyes and listen to her music - it's magical. In the end, you feel you know NSS a little bit more, and you almost feel guilty for watching this very personal movie and intruding into her private life. NSS - despite the obvious blank spaces in the movie - is as transparent as a person could be. She fills in the spaces for you. And you cannot help but cheer her on whenever she takes that bow. I am ready for the SEQUEL!
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