DVD Videos

Formed in 1964, the Guarneri String Quartet has been called “the world¹s master of chamber music” by Time Magazine. Praised as consummate interpreters of Beethoven, the Guarneri has presented the complete cycle of Beethoven quartets to audiences around the world. This video, taped in 1986, presents the quartet in performances of two Beethoven quartets.

57 minutes, color, stereo.

Two of the 20th century’s most esteemed artists in a rare collaboration, filmed live in New York's Alice Tully Hall in March 1970. 52 minutes, color, mono.

CBC telecast from 23rd June, 1965. 60 minutes, Canada, 1965, black & white.

This historic concert of December 14, 1989, given in support of the “Velvet Revolution” in Czechoslovakia, was attended by many prominent personalities, including Václav Havel, just weeks before he became the President of Czechoslovakia (later, the Czech Republic). Color, stereo, 75 min. Playable in all regions.

One of the most important conductors of the twentieth century in two live performances from 1969. Stokowski leads the Orchestra Giovanile Internazionale — the International Youth Orchestra, St. Moritz — during its premiere season in a stirring performance of Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony.

Black & White, 53 minutes.

“I have waited a very, very long time to hear a young pianist who combined a first rate technique, a probing intellect, an instinctive grasp for the feel of the music and taste. It is hard not to fall in love when confronted with such playing.” (Ivan Katz)

The only commercially-available video of legendary pianist Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli in a concerto performance.

39 minutes, black & white, all regions.

One of the legendary liaisons of the 20th century between conductor and orchestra is that of Sir Georg Solti and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Solti himself described it as a "love affair".

Solti, one of the greatest conductors of the 20th century, was a testament to the elegance and impeccable taste of Central European music making. His remarkable partnership with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra began in 1954; he was named Music Director in 1969 and held this post for a phenomenal 22 years.

Beethoven's beautiful First Symphony is sometimes labelled a 'fitting farewell to the 18th-century'.

Schubert composed his 'Unfinished' Symphony No.8 at the tender age of 25. After it was discovered and performed 37 years after his death, it quickly became one of the most universally beloved works in the symphonic repertoire.

BONUS: Sir Georg Solti gives a very personal introduction to Schubert's Symphonies "There is no limit to the orchestra's technical ability; the only limit is the conductor's imagination, and the musicians love to be stretched to the limit, to improve the performance…My philosophy became 'Let them play'." Sir Georg Solti