Tony Palmer's vast filmography of over one hundred films ranges from early works with The Beatles, Cream, Jimi Hendrix and Frank Zappa to the famous portraits with and about Walton, Britten, Stravinsky, Maria Callas, and Menuhin. His 7 hour 45 minutes film on Wagner, starring Richard Burton, Laurence Olivier and Vanessa Redgrave, was described by the Los Angeles Times as "one of the most beautiful films ever made". Among over 40 international prizes for his work are 12 Gold Medals at the New York Film & Television Festival, as well as numerous BAFTA and EMMY nominations and awards. He is the only person to have won the Prix Italia twice. Tony Palmer is one of the leading directors of music documentaries and historical drama films in the world. He has also directed in the theatre and in the opera house. From Cambridge University he joined the BBC. Palmer achieved notoriety with his first major film, All My Loving. In 1989, he was awarded a huge retrospective of his work at the National Film Theatre in London, the first maker of arts films to be so honoured. The films, presented at the Varna Summer are among his masterpieces:
All My Loving – with The Beatles, Cream, Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa, The Who, Pink Floyd, Donovan and also the first British TV documentary to be networked in the USA.
Maria, a profile of Maria Callas, "a marvellous film; a deeply moving experience; truly superb" (Daily Express). Gold Medal, Best Documentary, New York Film & TV Festival & BAFTA.
Wagner, starring Richard Burton, with Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud and Vanessa Redgrave. "A masterpiece" (The Sunday Times); "one of the most beautiful films ever made" (Los Angeles Times). Among many awards, Best Drama at the New York and London Film Festivals, Emmy etc.
Menuhin, an intimate profile of the violinist. Gold Medal Best Documentary & Grand Award, New York Film & TV Festival. Emmy etc.
The Symphony of Sorrowful Songs, about the Polish composer Górecki. Prize Winner, Chicago Film Festival. Platinum CD. Described by The Guardian as "a major work of art in itself".
In St. Petersburg, Palmer directed the Russian premiere of Parsifal ("world class" - The Times), conducted by Valery Gergiev, with Plácido Domingo. Parsifal won Best Theatre Production ('Casta Diva') in Moscow, 1997, as well as a 'Golden Mask'.
Renee Fleming – full-length profile of the great Americano soprano.
Mr Palmer has won various platinum and gold albums for the best-selling CDs of the soundtracks of his films. He was a music critic for The Observer for seven years, and has written for numerous international magazines and newspapers, including The Times, The New York Times, Punch, The Spectator, & Life. He has also written seven books.