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See Terms & Conditions for p&p rates. | |  | Dances & Dreams: Gala from Berlin 2011Recorded live at the Berlin Philharmonic, 31 December 2011
In 2011 the Berliner Philharmoniker and their musical director Sir Simon Rattle welcomed in the New Year with a gala concert programmed with ‘Dances & Dreams’. Spinetingling and inspiring performances of music by Dvořák, Ravel, Richard Strauss, Stravinsky and Brahms are complemented by the extraordinary talent of the multi-awarded Russian pianist Evgeny Kissin. Kissin’s musicality, the depth and poetic quality of his interpretations, and his extraordinary virtuosity have placed him at the forefront of today’s pianists, and his passionate performance of the renowned Piano Concerto in A minor by Edvard Grieg is mesmerizing. Kissin's musicality, the depth and poetic quality of his interpretations, and his extraordinary virtuosity have placed him at the forefront of today's pianists. Picture format: 1080i Full HD 16:9 Sound formats: PCM 2.0, DTS-HD Master Audio Surround Region code: All (worldwide) Booklet notes: English, German, French Running time: 89 mins German FSK: 0 “Where Rattle and company radiate love, Kissin gives us duty. Still, nothing else casts a chill. Hearing the orchestra's splendours, observing the smiles and eye contact, you'd never believe the past stories of turbulence between musicians and conductor...The Blu-ray edition, as always, is markedly crisper” BBC Music Magazine, January 2013 **** | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Falla: Noches en los jardines de Espana
Joaquín Achúcarro (piano) The internationally renowned pianist Joaquín Achúcarro has been described as ‘the consummate artist’ and ‘the leading pianist from Spain’; he has won plaudits and prizes around the world. In 2000 he was named ‘Artist for Peace’ by UNESCO in recognition of his extraordinary artistic achievements. This DVD presents an evocative recital of Spanish-inspired music, given by Achúcarro in Madrid, and a triumphant performance of Falla’s Nights in the Gardens of Spain with the Berliner Philharmoniker and Sir Simon Rattle, recorded in Berlin. Including a note by Joaquín Achúcarro written for this release. “I have only heard this sound from Rubinstein” Zubin Mehta “There is something special with Achucarro. Very few musicians can extract this kind of sound from the piano” Sir Simon Rattle Sounds formats: PCM 2.0, DTS-HD Master Audio Surround Region code: 0 Booklet notes: English, German, French Running time: 27 mins (Berlin) + 75 mins (Madrid) FSK: 0 | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Gala Concert: 300 Years of St. Petersburg
This festive gala concert was held to mark the city's 300th anniversary, bringing together some of the greatest Russian artists: young soprano Anna Netrebko, baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky, such great instrumentalists as cellist Mischa Maisky and violinist Viktor Tretyakov. World-famous St Petersburg Philharmonic under Yuri Temirkanov in repertoire of fascinating variety. Available for the first time on Blu-ray Disc. NTSC · 16:9, PCM 2.0 · PCM 5.1 Region Code:All Booklet Notes: English, German, French Languages: Spanish, Italian, Russian Subtitles: English, German, French, Spanish, Italian Running Time: 112 mins Audiences: all | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Jurowski conducts Strauss & RavelRecorded at Cité de la Musique - Paris, January 2009
This programme captures the musical encounter between one of the most talented conductors of his generation with arguably the best chamber orchestra musicians. They are joined by worldwide renowned pianist Hélène Grimaud in a programme featuring Strauss and Ravel, a perfect combination of familiar repertoire and works that deserve to be discovered. Vladimir Jurowski surprises the listener by a fresh style and approach. In combination with the charming and incisive Grimaud, he invites us to drift away with this extraordinary performance. Both artists are very thoughtful about the music they make and create a pure enjoyment for ear and eye. The award-winning Hélène Grimaud presents a lively rendition of Ravel’s concerto. Together with the orchestra lyricism and sonorous harmonies are expertly teased out. Picture format DVD: NTSC 16:9 Sounds formats DVD: PCM Stereo, DD 5.1, DTS 5.1 Region code: 0 Booklet notes: English, German, French Running time: 81 min FSK: 0 | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Lionel Bringuier & Nelson Freire Live at the Royal Albert Hall
Leading Chopin interpreter Nelson Freire is the soloist in Chopin’s lyrical and brilliant Second Piano Concerto. On the podium the young French conductor Lionel Bringuier makes his Proms debut conducting the BBC Symphony Orchestra and gives a sizzling performance of Roussel’s Symphony No.3 and of Ravel’s score for the ballet 'Daphnis et Chloé' - Suite No 2. Chopin wrote his concerto at the age of 19 while crazily in love with an opera singer, but it's the work itself which is the object of adoration for soloist Nelson Freire who describes himself as having something of a 'crush' on the piece after first hearing it as a teenager. The three other works on the programme chart French music over a century of changing musical tastes, beginning in 1844 with Berlioz's vivid evocation of a swashbuckling pirate adventure in his overture 'Le corsaire'. By 1912 the tides of modernism influenced Ravel's lavishly scored, pastoral ballet Daphnis and Chloë, with its famous opening soundscape of dawn breaking over the forest canopy, and by the 1930s Roussel's Third Symphony reflected the trends of neo-classicism. "It was around the beginning of the second movement of Albert Roussel's Third Symphony that the playing of the BBC Symphony Orchestra – under the outstanding 23-year-old French conductor Lionel Bringuier, making his Prom debut – moved into top gear. From that point on, the orchestra's awareness of its own sound, collectively and individually, became heightened to an unusually compelling degree. The playing stayed on this exalted level until the end of the concert, which closed with Ravel's second Daphnis and Chloé suite...shaped with a certainty of direction that never compromised the music's inherent sensuousness. It provided a sensational climax to the evening." George Hall, The Guardian 13/8/2010 Recorded live at the Royal Albert Hall, 08/2010, Running time 95 min. Booklet: French, German, English Image 1BD25, Colour 16/9, 1080i Full HD Sound PCM Stereo, DTS HD Master Audio 5.1 “the least flashy of virtuosos, [Freire] conjures up a phenomenal palette of colours by the most economical means. I would urge anyone to hear this performance with Bringuier...You can sense even the oldest, most cynical hands in the band responding to his charismatic direction with enthusiasm...All in all, a tremendous concert.” Gramophone Magazine, June 2013 “If it was a bold idea to invite this young French conductor to the BBC Proms, it was surely madness to film the concert. But thank goodness the BBC and innovative label BelAir took the chance, as this is a model of filmed music-making. Bringuier’s rapport with the orchestra (and with soloist Nelson Freire here on scintillating form) is immediately evident. Thoroughly recommended” Classical Music, May 2013 | 
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| |  | Nobel Prize Concert 2009Recorded at the Stockholm Concert Hall, 8 December 2009
As part of the official Nobel Week, the world’s most renowned artists are gathering each year to pay tribute to the Nobel Laureates. An event of world class stature and performances of highest international standard. Members of the Swedish Royal Family as well as guests of the Nobel Foundation are attending the highly acclaimed event, which gathers internationally renowned artists and conductors each year. Very special highlight was this year’s soloist Martha Argerich, one of the very charismatic and brilliant pianists, performing Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G Major under Yuri Temirkanov leading the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra. The program also includes Prokofiev’s Suite from Romeo and Juliet. Born in Buenos Aires in 1941, Martha Argerich had her performing debut at the age of eight. Her breakthrough came in 1965, when she won the prestigious Chopin Competition in Warsaw. Working with most of the world’s leading conductors Argerich is passionate about supporting young talents. In 1999 the first International Martha Argerich Piano Contest was held in Buenos Aires, a competition that she founded and of which she is now the chief judge. Picture format: 1080i Full HD - 16:9 Sound format: PCM Stereo, DTS-HD Master Audio Region code: All Booklet notes: English, German, French Running time: 80 mins German FSK: 0 | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Tribute to Jerome Robbins
RAVEL En Sol Marie-Agnès Gillot, Florian Magnenet Nico MUHLY Triade World Premiere, Choreography & costume design by Benjamin Millepied Marie-Agnès Gillot, Laëtitia Pujol, Audric Bezard, Marc Moreau CHOPIN In The Night Clairemarie Osta, Benjamin Pech, Agnès Letestu, Stéphane Bullion, Delphine Moussin, Nicolas Le Riche CHOPIN The Concert Dorothée Gilbert, Stéphane Phavorin, Alessio Carbone, Emmanuel Thibault
Ten years after his death, the Paris Opera Ballet paid homage to the American choreographer who considered the Paris Opera his second home after New York City Ballet, Jerome Robbins. The three pieces performed here illustrate not only the diversity of the choreographer’s repertoire and sources of inspiration, but also his love of music and his all-embracing attitude to the performing arts. Jerome Robbins brought new energy to classical dance, introducing 20th-century urban rhythms, confirming its status as a modern entertainment form and instilling it with the interrogations of contemporary theatre. 'En Sol', set to Maurice Ravel’s 'Concerto en sol', follows no particular narrative line or dramatic effect. Echoing the music’s jazzy invitations and light-heartedly copying Broadway style, this is a light and joyous piece for two soloists and an ensemble. It provided Jerome Robbins with an opportunity to reveal the relaxed, fluid feel so emblematic of his style. 'In the Night' and 'The Concert' are two tributes to Frederic Chopin. Robbins transforms 'The Nocturnes' into 'In the Night', a long and poetic pas de deux built, whereas 'The Concert' joins the ranks of the few comic ballets in the history of dance. Lastly, Benjamin Millepied, who made his dance debut with Robbins in New York, dedicates his second creation for the Paris Opera Ballet, 'Triade', to the choreographer. “Dance is composed of human relations”, Robbins used to say. A worthy heir to his master, Benjamin Millepied matches this credo through a fruitful dialogue with composer Nico Muhly. | | | Usually despatched in 3 - 4 working days. |
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