The Music Critic with John Malkovich

Most evil music critiques written about some of the greatest works of music are narrated by John Malkovich, followed by the performance of the works.

One of the most prestigious venues in the world, Wiener Konzerthaus, togs its main stage up into a legendary Viennese Coffee House setting, representing the tradition where poets, writers, critics and common people often gather to complain about any various thing, sometimes even if they are on their own.

Sipping his coffee, John Malkovich slips into the role of the evil critic, equipped with a frivolous potpourri of musical insults. Schumann fancies himself a “composer”, while Brahms is a “giftless bastard”. Claude Debussy is simply ugly.

The Music Critic was filmed live in March 2020 in Vienna, Austria. The screeners for both the full length and the shortened versions are now available for your viewing, and sales for the project are open.


Narrated by, John Malkovich

Performed by, Aleksey Igudesman, So-Ock Kim, Max Baillie, Tanja Tetzlaff, Hyung-ki Joo

Music by, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Dvorak, Brahms, Schumann, Debussy, Kancheli, Piazzolla and Igudesman.

Created and conceived by Aleksey Igudesman.

Original title The Music Critic
Genre Entertainment
Recording location Wiener Konzerthaus, Vienna, Austria
Production year 2020
Duration 76 min, full length
Duration 58 min, short version
Video format HD: DNxHD HQX 1080 50i
Audio format 5.1 (Dolby E) or Discreet and Stereo
Production Company Music Traveler Productions
Producer Sabina Hasanova
Director Volker Werner
Executive Producer Aleksey Igudesman, Hyung-ki Joo
Light Design Patrick Suppan
Sound Engineer Philipp Treiber
Distribution TV EuroArts
Composer Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Dvorak, Brahms, Schumann, Debussy, Kancheli, Piazzolla and Igudesman
Soloist Aleksey Igudesman, So-Ock Kim, Max Baillie, Tanja Tetzlaff, Hyung-ki Joo
Main Actor John Malkovich