Art on Screen: Behind the Strings

Filmmaker Michael Peroff will introduce this film and participate in a Q&A after each screening.

When Mao’s Cultural Revolution ended, China’s door cracked open. Four young, classical musicians seized the opportunity to flee to the West as classical music was banned. This film explores how the Shanghai Quartet began a lifetime adventure – studying with great masters, attending Juilliard, and performing at major music festivals and best classical music venues like Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and The Kennedy Center. When the Quartet’s cellist decided to leave, they invited a young American grad student from New York City’s Spanish Harlem. He was a highly praised cellist but also had a New York City “attitude” that the three Chinese musicians had never encountered.

In addition to full-time teaching positions, the Quartet now performs throughout the world with a stressful 180-day travel schedule. That schedule, however, has impacted home life. Two of the Quartet’s wives are classically trained performance musicians who have had to put their professional careers on the “back burner” to care for the kids and keep the home fires going. Behind the Strings showcases their lives, how they got to the top and the price they pay. And, why China keeps inviting them back to perform their once forbidden music.

Ticket & Visitor Information

The Morris Museum has adopted a dynamic mask policy for upcoming events in the Bickford Theatre. Face masks are currently optional in the CENTER and HOUSE RIGHT sections (indicated in blue) and are required in the HOUSE LEFT section (indicated in red). Face masks are currently optional for Children’s Theatre performances. This policy is subject to change at any time. Please check back on our website or call the box office for our current policy before your scheduled performance date. For assistance, call the box office at 973-971-3706.