Even if you aren’t familiar with classical music, it may be hard not to be stirred by Seymour: An Introduction, a tender, often terrific ode to one of America’s foremost classical pianists and music teachers. In his mid-eighties, Seymour Bernstein lives in the same cozy New York apartment he moved into 57 years ago, just as he was earning his first rave reviews for town hall recitals. There, he is solo and serene, his face relaxed as he plays a complex piece on the piano. He will spend close to half of his waking hours on the piano bench, trying to flex his fingers to reach a higher or lower octave.

Bernstein plays for joy, although director Ethan Hawke (making his third appearance behind the camera) convinces him to go out on a limb for his first public performance in 35 years. As we learn in Seymour: An Introduction, Bernstein...