Touch the Sound

Released Sep 10, 2004

1 hr. 53 min.

Documentary

List

88%

52 Reviews

Tomatometer

73%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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.

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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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Per Legarth J

We were at her show "for døve ører" in DR Koncerthus in february 2023 Copenhagen and again in june 2023 when she got the award Sonnings Musikpris. My wife and I had seats right in front of the scene. We were deeply fascinated of her skills and talent.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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"

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Frankly, this is how you shouldn't make a documentary.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

Audience Member

good doc/performance piece

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

[A] fascinating portrait.

Apr 15, 2009

Full Review

Raven Snook

Time Out

A coy yet worthy profile of celebrated Scottish percussionist Evelyn Glennie.

Jun 24, 2006

Full Review

Steven Rea

Philadelphia Inquirer

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.

Rated: 3/4

Dec 8, 2005

Full Review

Dorothy Woodend

The Tyee (British Columbia)

More than once, I found myself crying while watching Touch the Sound for no apparent reason, but then, beauty can do that to you.

Aug 24, 2017

Full Review

Chelsea Bain

Boston Herald

Rated: 3/4

Oct 21, 2006

Full Review

Jonathan Kiefer

Sacramento News & Review

Thomas Riedelsheimer's portrait of deaf percussionist Evelyn Glennie is an absolute masterwork, both of filmmaking and of musicianship.

Rated: 5/5

May 12, 2006

Full Review

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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
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 10, 2004, Original
Box Office (Gross USA): $176.1K