DVD Videos

Following the sensational success of its first DVD box, Arthaus Musik now presents its second exclusive collection, which brings together four further classics from the Russian ballet repertoire: Glazunov’s Raymonda, Prokofiev’s The Stone Flower and Ivan the Terrible and Khachaturian’s Spartacus.Together they offer all the necessary ingredients for a superb evening of ballet: enchanting sets, rousing ensembles and a female lead dancer who seems to hover above the stage. Recorded in the venerable Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, all four productions are accompanied by the Bolshoi Orchestra – a further guarantee of Russian passion par excellence.

Directed by FRANÇOIS ROUSSILLON

Choreography and Stage Direction by RUDOLF NUREYEV after Marius Petipa

Set & Costume Design by NICHOLAS GEORGIADIS

When Nureyev took up the position of Artistic Director of the ballet of the Paris opera in 1983, his words to the dancers of the ensemble so rich in tradition were, “Don’t talk, work”, and only two months later he presented his magnifi cent new production of Marius Petipa’s oriental ballet Raymonda. This production was of great importance both for Nureyev and for the ensemble, because it was his first choreography as newly-appointed director of the Paris ensemble. It laid the foundation for his personal relationship as choreographer, teacher and director with the dancers. There could not have been a better ballet than Raymonda to show to advantage the qualities of this ensemble, which is one of the foremost in the world of ballet. It is not only the three leading parts which are shown to advantage in numerous pas-de-deux, in a dramatic sword duel and in dream scenes, but there are also impressive solos for a dozen other dancers as well as many spectacular ensemble scenes, among them the splendid Hungarian dances, an exciting Spanish dance, a wonderful polonaise and fascinating pas-de-quatre and pas-de-six.

The documentary by François Roussillon examines the various aspects of this ballet, which has become a classic in the repertoire of the ballet ensemble of the Paris opera through Rudolf Nureyev’s choreography. Nureyev’s innate talent for dancing and the perfection of his rehearsal work made Raymonda one of the greatest masterworks of ballet history.

Gennadi Rozhdestvensky was the BBC Symphony Orchestra’s Chief Conductor from 1978 – 1981. The three performances on this disc are taken from two concerts during the

1981 Proms season and represent him at the highest point of his relationship with the orchestra.

One of the premier conductors of Russian music, Rozhdestvensky is well known for his interpretations of (and love for) ballet scores, having first conducted the Nutracker at the Bolshoi aged 20.

In this complete performance of The Nutcracker’s second act, Rozhdestvensky’s deep understanding of the music and affinity for it are evident.

The 1979 recording of Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty with the BBCSO on BBC Legends was a Penguin Rosette winner – Rozhdestvensky is described as giving caring and sensitive direction, loving attention to detail, narrative drama and having light rhythmic touch and delicacy of feeling. He remains even today, one of the great interpreters of Russian music.

This is the first DVD release.

1DVD

Sound format: LPCM stereo/enhanced mono

Picture format: 4:3

Running time: 64’

Subtitles: n/a

Menu languages: English

Booklet languages: E/F/G

Region code: 0

Territory Restrictions: None

The music of Spain held an exotic attraction for composers from other lands. The Russians Glinka and Rimsky Korsakov found inspiration here, as did the French composers Lalo, Massenet and Ravel, who claimed Basque descent on his mother's side, and Bizet, whose opera Carmen is imbued with the spirit of the country. Spain provided Verdi with a narrative source, and another Italian, the demon violinist Paganini, was equally a master of the quintessential Spanish instrument, the guitar.

Zubin Mehta, born in Bombay in 1936, is one of the greatest conductors on the rostrum. ‚I have been conducting the Berliner Philharmoniker longer than many of its musicians have been members. I began in 1961 and since then have not missed a single season. During all those years I have been able to observe continually that the Berliner Philharmoniker sets standards for outstanding orchestral achievements.‘

The theme of his ‚St. Petersburg Night‘ at the Berlin Waldbühne is, of course, Russian music. The centrepiece is one of Tchaikovsky‘s most frequently played and effective compositions: his Piano Concerto No. 1 in B fl at minor. This work has spread the fame of Russian music all over the world. Its memorable melodies and original rhythms never fail to captivate audiences.

Daniel Barenboim, was the soloist for the Tchaikovsky concerto in Zubin Mehta‘s music night. With this combination of master conductor, master pianist and leading orchestra, success was, of course, assured. The twenty thousand people in the audience at the Berlin Waldbühne, sold out weeks beforehand, expressed their thanks with tumultuous applause.

The other works in the programme were also enthusiastically received, in particular the familiar sounds of Tchaikovsky‘s ‚Swan Lake‘ and Rimsky-Korsakov‘s orchestral scherzo ‚The Flight of the Bumblebee‘ from his opera ‚The Legend of Tsar Saltan‘, which was played with astounding virtuosity.

Sound Format: PCM Stereo, DD 5.1

Picture Format: 4:3

DVD Format: DVD 9, PAL

Running Time: 97 mins

FSK: 0