Philharmonia (2018–2019) User Reviews

Interesting, absorbing, but ultimately jumps the shark

[Preznikoff · 8/10 · 24 November 2019]

For classical music lovers this is first. A thriller with a murder victim set inside a "mean girls" Paris philharmonic orchestra. Yes I know, I know, Hitchcock got there first with The Man Who Knew Too Much. Knives out for the newly arrived conductor, and all the usual backstabbing, ego driven, one upsmanship of the musicians. Think Black Swan.The series builds a case for a "stay tuned for the next installment," but unfortunately as the series begins the journey to its whodunnit, and very melodramatic conclusion, the show has jumped it's story telling shark, as it becomes quite obvious in BIG NEON LIGHTS, whodunnit before the windup is over.

An excellent 6 parts serie as much about music then about a suspense, a thriller, with a great twist

[ccarriere-43044 · 8/10 · 5 November 2023]

An excellent 6 parts serie as much about music then about a suspense, a thriller, with a great twist, the acting is great, the scenery are very interesting...many shot of the newest Philharmonic hall of Paris in the park La Villette, the lead actress is a partenaire we la. Comedie Francaise but graduated first from a music program as a violinist...discovering theater and a stronger passion for it...the music is of course very good, but we learn what make a good piece even better sounding, the explanation are clear, simple. The suspense plot is very well done mixing police thriller with a little mystery going on horror almost.

Entertaining for what it is

[sterlinglewis · 7/10 · 15 October 2023]

And it is a French Soap Opera with all the requisite tropes. We have the Beleaguered Heroine, the Unfaithful Husband, two Hostile Mothers, Hereditary Insanity, the Kind but Clueless Father; the Ruthless Villain; the Young Rage-Driven Ingenue, the Wealthy Suitor, and a death that may or may not be murder. Stir well and forget anything that resembles real life.

Anybody expecting to find musical verisimilitude here will be disappointed. Conductors do not conduct that way, and orchestras do not work that way. Another reviewer gave a detailed list of inaccuracies, with which I completely agree. Any number of concerts available on a variety of streaming services will inform you.

Now, all that said, I enjoyed it. It is surely not 'deep', but then it doesn't pretend to be. The story was good enough to hold my interest, and the characters are sympathetic, except for the Villain, of course. And the actors are attractive. I certainly enjoyed seeing the many shots of The Philharmonie de Paris, which was used as a background. Overall, I think it's worth the seven stars I'm giving it. Recommended, with the above caveats.

Superb French mini series

[mikegibb-60418 · 9/10 · 15 July 2020]

After suffering through a series too many of Money Heist, Line of Duty and the appalling season 3 of The Sinner this was a delight. Engrossing plot great acting and terrific music. Highly recommended

One of the best psychological thriller I've watched

[eradancemusic · 10/10 · 29 April 2021]

As a music lover, violin player and fan of psychological thrillers without a violent, I must admit it this was one of the best one.

Has French TV/cinema gone the same way as their cuisine?

[mrmatthewadams · 3/10 · 29 June 2020]

I remember when I used to love French cinema and French TV. I also remember when I used to love French cuisine. Sadly though if you go to a restaurant in France nowadays you will be offered soggy chips with everything and if you watch French TV you will also get served pap. Philharmonia started out with such grand aspirations and sadly ended up after just a short while, conforming to type and being dire rubbish. Come on! You can do better than this!!!

Trash

[jbpalframan · 26 October 2020]

Pretentious, self absorbed pap. Used the ff button from ep4 onwards, hoping for just a morsel of something to keep me interested. If the stoic heroine ever acts again I'll be amazed. Takes it self far too seriously, attempting high brow surrealistic drama and failing with honours.

I wanted to like it since I am a composer but the show is just ridiculously wrong about classical music

[lschwendinge · 1/10 · 28 August 2023]

I wanted to like this show since I am a composer but the show is just ridiculously wrong about every element of classical music. The actress is clearly not a conductor. She bobs her head and body, which would make it impossible to follow her, even if she was conducting the right meters. Orchestras hire conductors after extensive searches, and they do not have unilateral rights to fire and hire musicians. They announce the repertoire a year (sometimes two) in advance. After the lack lust4r performance of some era horse, they clap for her and like a giddy school girl she stands there and laughs. Lordy, is it a terrible show? As a composer I was embarrassed by the "new" composition by her husband, it sounded like a student work, just terrible. I almost cried when they buried her Mother's violin with her. How ridiculous to think a true musician would destroy a good violin and one connected to her Mother. I could write much more here but it is not worth it here. If you do not know much about classical music do not start here. Finally the premiere that happens at the end of the show, is the worst drivel. Somehow magically, the conductor plays a duo concerto, she has never rehearsed, on violin she has never played before, with her crazy first violin protégé. A children's choir, part of the work, miraculously has been able to learn this music, when as far as we know, it was finished only the day before. Oh yes, and who copied the music for the payers in less than 24 hours? It is all just too much to take.