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Touch the Sound

Play trailer Poster for Touch the Sound 2004 1h 53m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
88% Tomatometer 52 Reviews 73% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
At age 8, Scottish percussionist Evelyn Glennie realized she was going deaf. A high school teacher advised her to practice without a hearing aid, responding to the music with her other senses. This documentary follows her travels as she demonstrates her ability to play music using vibrations and other tactile sensations. Included is everything from public performances at Grand Central Station in New York City to collaborative work on an improvised album in an abandoned factory in Berlin.
Touch the Sound

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Not only does this documentary introduce viewers to Glennie, it gives them a taste of how she perceives the world.

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Critics Reviews

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Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader Apr 15, 2009
[A] fascinating portrait. Go to Full Review Raven Snook Time Out Jun 24, 2006
A coy yet worthy profile of celebrated Scottish percussionist Evelyn Glennie. Go to Full Review Steven Rea Philadelphia Inquirer Dec 8, 2005
3/4
Touch the Sound is remarkable not only because of Glennie's story -- a clinically deaf Grammy-winning musician who has played with the world's great orchestras -- but for the way Riedelsheimer uses sound. Go to Full Review Dorothy Woodend The Tyee (British Columbia) Aug 24, 2017
More than once, I found myself crying while watching Touch the Sound for no apparent reason, but then, beauty can do that to you. Go to Full Review Chelsea Bain Boston Herald Oct 21, 2006
3/4
Jonathan Kiefer Sacramento News & Review May 12, 2006
5/5
Thomas Riedelsheimer's portrait of deaf percussionist Evelyn Glennie is an absolute masterwork, both of filmmaking and of musicianship. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Feb 20, 2014 Not only are the musical interludes throughout the documentary that are performed by Glennie and her various collaborators filled with emotion; but when coupled with the breathtaking, yet calming shots of the Scottish Highlands it combines to form an exquisite movie that I would highly recommend! See more Jun 19, 2013 I think it goes to prove that you can make a living and be a total weirdo. This woman should hook up with the Soundtracker. He hasn't figured out how to go around listening to things and make money off of it. See more Mar 11, 2013 Amazing documentary that everyone can enjoy... watched with my 4 year old niece who dances her way through it, and turned to me and said "THIS MOVIE IS COOL" See more Mar 4, 2013 Frankly, this is how you shouldn't make a documentary. See more Oct 19, 2012 good doc/performance piece See more Aug 28, 2012 Discover what it means to feel the music. Understand what are you missing even when you think you're getting it. Check this movie. See more Read all reviews
Touch the Sound

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Thomas Riedelsheimer

Director

Stefan Tolz

Producer

Leslie Hills

Producer

Trevor Davies

Producer

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Touch the Sound

Touch the Sound (2004) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis At age 8, Scottish percussionist Evelyn Glennie realized she was going deaf. A high school teacher advised her to practice without a hearing aid, responding to the music with her other senses. This documentary follows her travels as she demonstrates her ability to play music using vibrations and other tactile sensations. Included is everything from public performances at Grand Central Station in New York City to collaborative work on an improvised album in an abandoned factory in Berlin.
Director
Thomas Riedelsheimer
Producer
Stefan Tolz, Leslie Hills, Trevor Davies
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 10, 2004, Original
Box Office (Gross USA)
$176.1K
Runtime
1h 53m
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