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Following the success of the enlightening first series of Keeping Score, MTT and SFS return with three further programmes that combine one-hour documentaries with live concert performances. The new programmes explore the music and stories behind the music. Each of the three DVDs in Keeping Score Series 2 features a documentary episode - with MTT guiding us through the composers’ perspectives and influences - coupled with a live concert performance of each work. The programmes are designed to engage and entertain viewers of all levels of musical background. With outstanding production values, they are released on DVD and Blu-Ray HD formats, making SFS the first orchestra to distribute its product on Blu-Ray disc. In 1937 Russia, at the height of Stalin’s purges, the Communist Party strongly denounced Dmitri Shostakovich’s most recent works. Fearing for his life, the young composer wrote a symphony ending with a rousing march. But to many, the triumph rang hollow. Even today, people wonder just what Shostakovich was trying to say. Was the symphony meant to celebrate Stalin’s regime? Or did it contain hidden messages protesting the very system it seemed to support? | | | Usually despatched in 4 - 5 working days. |
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| |  | David Oistrakh Vol. 1
The highlight of the wide-ranging program on this DVD is the world premiere performance of the Shostakovich Second Violin Concerto, composed, as was the composer's first Violin Concerto, with Oistrakh in mind. The work, described by one critic as "a troubled sound world" with its complex thematic material and jolting harmonic shifts, holds no terrors for its dedicatee who provides an assured and brilliant performance. 60 minutes, black&white, mono, all regions. | | | Usually despatched in 4 - 5 working days. |
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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 Competitionin 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 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: 79 mins FSK: 0 “Argerich plays with a remarkable combination of freedom and control...[Temirkanov] draws an impressive sound from the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra.” BBC Music Magazine, September 2010 *** | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Yuri Temirkanov live at Verbier FestivalRecorded at Verbier Festival, July 2009
This series of TV programmes presents the very best of the 16th Verbier Festival with worldwide renowned artists such as Susan Graham, Martha Argerich, Yuri Temirkanov and Philippe Jaroussky. Yuri Khatuevich Temirkanov (Russian: Ю́рий Хату́евич Темирка́нов), Russian conductor of Circassian (Kabardian) origin, celebrated his debut with the St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra (formerly the Leningrad Philharmonic) in early 1967. Temirkanovs interpretation of Shostakovich Symphony No. 10 is strongly influenced by Russian heritage which the orchestra positively evokes under his direction and expertise. He is a frequent guest conductor of major orchestras like the Berlin Philharmonic, London Philharmonic or New York Orchestra. Being principal Guest Conductor of the Bolshoi Theatre, he has also been appointed as Music Director of the Teatro Regio di Parma in January 2009. Since 1988 he has been the Music Director and Chief Conductor of the Saint Petersburg Philharmonic with whom he regularly undertakes major international tours and recordings. In 2002, he received the Abbiati Prize for Best Conductor. In 2003 he was named Conductor of the Year in Italy. In the same year President Vladimir Putin bestowed the President’s Medal on Maestro Temirkanov. 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: 53 min FSK: 0 “Particular highlights are the brooding bass-rich sound that Temirkanov draws from his young orchestra in the epic opening paragraph of the first movement...the production is largely conventional, but manages to convey the obvious enthusiasm and commitment which was generated by the occasion.” BBC Music Magazine, Chirstmas 2010 *** “The outer movements are sensibly paced and not without gravitas, the young musicians triumphing over the rather narrow dynamic range presented by the hall” Gramophone Magazine, December 2010 | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Leonard Bernstein conducts ShostakovichRecorded live Concert: live recording from the Royal Festival Hall, London, 9 June 1968
Lovingly restored, using the finest state-of-the-art technology, classic archive features great performances from legendary artists, offering a unique historical glimpse into our classical heritage. Sourced from the BBC Archive. Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony is given an electrifying reading by the London Symphony Orchestra under the baton of the great Leonard Bernstein. His innate musicality and commanding presence is complemented by his unbounded energy, embracing the majestic properties of this great work. As a bonus, this DVD offers an enthralling glimpse of Bernstein in rehearsal with the orchestra. Picture format DVD: NTSC 4:3 Sounds formats DVD: PCM Stereo Region code: 0 Original Languages: English Subtitles: English, German, French Booklet notes: English, German, French Running time: 91 mins (40 mins performance, 51 mins interview) German FSK: 0 “Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5 in a searing rendering from the LSO and Bernstein, but marred by variable sound in this 1966 broadcast.” BBC Music Magazine, December 2011 ***** | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Berliner Philharmoniker: Yutaka SadoRecorded live from the Philharmonie, Berlin, May, 20th 2011
This production is a Charity Concert for the victims of the Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster from March 11th 2011. The profit generated will be donated to a special section of the Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS), which was especially founded for earthquake victims: “Japan: Earthquake and Tsunami”, and will therefore be distributed directly among the population affected. Immediate help for the Japanese people in need is thus guaranteed. With this concert Yutaka Sado makes his Philharmonic debut and will be the first Japanese to conduct the renowned orchestra since Seiji Ozawa several years ago. Critics have unanimously hailed Yutaka Sado as one of the most enthralling and charismatic conductors of the new generation. The long-time assistant of Leonard Bernstein and Seiji Ozawa was awarded the most important conductor’s prizes, e.g. the Premier Grand Prix at the 39th International Conducting Competition and the Grand Prix du Concours International L. Bernstein Jerusalem. Picture format DVD: NTSC 16:9 Sounds formats DVD: PCM Stereo, DD 5.1, DTS 5.1 Region code: 0 Subtitles: English Booklet notes: English, German, French Running time: 107 mins (91 mins concert + 16 mins bonus) “[Sado] digs unostentatiously deep in both the fluid and monumental aspects of this concert, given to raise funds for the Japanese earthquake and tsunami disaster. Much in the two chosen works is both complementary and appropriate...A short interview with Sado tells us little; but what he achieves in performance is unquestionably beyond words.” BBC Music Magazine, March 2012 **** “I like Takemitsu best when there's rigorous tension put between his soft-focus, stylised figurations...Here the balance is perfect...After Takemitsu, Shostakovich's urgent 'listen to this' message, each harmonic sidestep loaded with interference, is a shock. I like the dynamic detail Sado lavishes on the first movement...And another sound reason to buy this DVD: all proceeds will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross to help victims of the 2011 tsunami.” Gramophone Magazine, March 2012 **** “a performance of alluring poise. Some may find the seamless tonal blend and peerless technical accomplishment over-manicured (even counter-productive) bearing in mind the music's historical context, but taken on its own terms one can hardly help but be galvanized by its supreme expertise.” International Record Review, June 2012 | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Maxim Vengerov - Sibelius: Violin Concerto
Sibelius: | Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47 (First Movement) Violin Masterclass at the Royal Academy of Music, London |
Student: Eloisa-Fleur Thom Maxim Vengerov is recognised as one of the world's most exciting and brilliant violinists. His exceptional talent emerged when he was very young. He gave his first recital at the age of five and went on to win First Prize in the Junior Wieniawski Competition when he was ten years old, confirming his promise as a violinist of rare talent. Still in his mid-thirties he is now acknowledged throughout the world as one of the great musicians of our time. He is also an outstanding teacher and is Professor of Violin at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Perceptive, entertaining and always sensitive to the individual personality and ability of his pupils, he has an extraordinary ability to convey his insights into the music and inspire his students. In this masterclass, he works on the first movement of Sibelius' Violin concerto. | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Jean SibeliusThese two prize-winning Christopher Nupen films about Sibelius appear on a new label, The Christopher Nupen Films
This DVD celebrates the musical quest of one of the great symphonists of the twentieth century, Jean Sibelius, as seen through his music, his letters, his diaries and the words of his wife Aino, who was with him for more than sixty four years. It is an intimate account, using film and Sibelius’ music and words, of a great artist’s struggle with his medium, with the world and with himself – as deeply felt an artistic quest as any in the history of music and frequently expressed in memorably poetic terms. “Christopher Nupen pioneered a style of filming musicians and music-making in which his excellence has rarely
been equalled and never excelled. Of that genre he is the undoubted master.” Sir Jeremy Isaacs “Nupen's quietly and seriously narrated survey takes a conservative path, chronologically, through the symphonies. Sensitively edited extracts from the symphonies, played by the Swedish Radio Orchestra under Vladimir Ashkenazy, and Nupen's own narrative, have as their backdrop the snow-covered pines, lakes and skies of the Finnish landscape.” BBC Music Magazine, October 2006 **** “…Nupen's… intention was… to tell the story of Sibelius's music, rather than his life, by letting the music do as much of the talking as possible. Hence the films feature long specially recorded stretches from several key Sibelius compositions which play undisturbed by narration. Brief clips of his precocious Water Drops and Kullervo aside, Nupen starts the musical journey with Finlandia, building through the symphonies, Violin Concerto and some songs and shorter works (including the broadcast on January 1, 1939, of Andante festivo, conducted by the composer). Although one might wish for this or that piece to figure, Nupen's selections of music are entirely apposite to his purpose. Even for those with a detailed knowledge of the composer, the filming of key locations around Finland, from Sibelius's notorious Helsinki drinking haunt, the Kämp Hotel, to Ainola, plus archival footage of the composer, with be an attraction.” Gramophone Magazine, Awards 2006 | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Finland - A Musical Tour of Helsinki and Finnish Landscape
Music by Sibelius | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Sibelius - Symphony No. 5
NTSC · 16:9, PCM Stereo Region code: 0, FSK: all audiences Booklet notes: English Running time: 56 mins Esa-Pekka Salonen, musical director of the Los Angeles Philarmonic Orchestra until summer 2009, is one of the most brilliant conductors of his generation. He has recently taken up the position of Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the Philharmonia Orchestra in London. Although he studied at the Sibelius Academy, it took him years before considering conducting works of Finland's emblematic composer, Jean Sibelius. "To me, an ideal concert of Sibelius should be like the shattering ice, during springtime, in a Northern river: intense, beautiful, terrifying and inevitable. I am not sure if someone can ever do that, but we can at least try." During Summer 2007 in Verbier, Salonen lead the UBS Verbier Festival Orchestra, and took up this challenge in Sibelius' Fifth Symphony. He also conducts one of his own works, L.A.Variations. Premièred in 1996 and commissioned by the Los Angeles Philarmonic, this piece was written in order to highlight the virtuosity and the power of this orchestra, a challenge brilliantly taken by the UBS Verbier FO. “Essentially this is an old fashioned TV-style concert film - and none the worse for that. It is good, though, to be allowed to see exactly how Salonen beats the tricky rhythms at the climax of his LA Variations, and to see a smile on the front desk violinist's face as the final high-sustained flute splutters out at the end.” BBC Music Magazine, November 2009 **** | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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