Jens Nygaard
Renegade, Maverick, Genius — these are just a few of the words used to describe Conductor Jens Nygaard, a legendary presence in the New York music world. His journey from child prodigy in rural Arkansas to New York's Carnegie Hall is chronicled in this musical portrait, The Jens Nygaard Legacy. Within the story of this great conductor we also learn of the impact a great creative force can have on succeeding generations. Jens left us one of Manhattan's continuing classical music treasures, the Jupiter Symphony.
“We’ve lost a giant, but his indomitable spirit lives on.”
—Mary Lous Falcone & Nicky Zann
the Documentary
The Legacy of Jens Nygaard, renegade conductor of his Jupiter Symphony orchestra, tells the inspiring story of a prodigy turned professional musician who endured mental illness and establishment rejection to become a legend within his own lifetime and now, long after his demise.
Independent documentary filmmaker Martin Spinelli has made a one-hour video program that brings Nygaard’s hard-won success story to film. The musical portrait documents performances from Beethoven to Gershwin and interviews with performers, students, critics, and supporters. Nygaard speaks of his life and career with charm, candor, and his inimitable enthusiasm. Even when discussing his battle with multiple myeloma, Nygaard exudes a telegenic charisma. The tale of this maverick conductor and his magnificent, young orchestra is now for sale on DVD.
“A genius like him comes along once in a lifetime and thousands will miss this energetic, wise, and vastly talented music-maker.”
—Albert Kay
Awards
Martin Spinelli’s important documentary has received a long list of awards and nominations and has been screened at numerous film festivals around the world, including:
2002 Emmy Award for Programming about the Arts
Best Documentary Film Award at the 22nd Annual Breckenridge Festival of Film
Directors Guild of America's Nomination for Outstanding Achievement Award
Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival Opening Night Presentation
Best Musical Film Award at the Tiburon International Film Festival
The BAC 36th International Film and Video Festival screening at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
The International Film Festival of Fine Arts screening in Szolnok, Hungary
