DVD Videos

In 1961, KQED San Francisco filmed a series of Lehmann's master classes at the Music Academy of the West for National Educational Television (Thirteen/WNET). In the course of these classes, Lehmann offers important interpretive insights, shares some of her life's story, and even performs several passages with singular expressive force, albeit in a baritone sprechtstimme (she herself candidly quips, "Ihave always in my life done things very thoroughly, so I have lost my voice thoroughly").

The 2-DVD set traces the development of the orchestra from the time of Bach and Handel to the present day. It includes all eight programmes originally broadcast on Channel 4: 1) Introduction to the Orchestra 2) Upper Strings 3) Woodwind 4) Lower Strings 5) Brass 6) Percussion 7) Piano 8) The Conductor Featuring young musicians from around the world, this is an entertaining and educational celebration of the orchestra.

Vengerov's formidable musical genius and commitment have brought him the highest musical prizes and a huge army of fans along the way. Living the Dream, which began filming November 2004, traces the hectic jet set life of the 30 year old master violinist, appearing in concert and recital across the globe. It takes us from his last concert at the end of 2004 in Istanbul, through his return to his childhood home in Novosibirsk in the depths of a Russian winter, to his premiere performance of a brand new commissioned concerto in Hannover. During this time he is working and preparing for the new concerto, composed by Benjamin Yusupov, which involves him playing viola, improvising rock on an electric violin, and dancing the Tango to the last movement. We see him having improvisation lessons from the jazz violinist Didier Lockwood, taking Tango lessons with Sebastian Misse and Andrea Reyero in Paris, devising the Tango choreography with his partner Christiane Palha in Amsterdam, and finally the performance to wild acclaim of the "Viola Tango Rock Concerto" with Eije Oue in Hannover. Maxim also reflects on how the experience of his sabbatical has impacted on his recording and interpretation of the Beethoven concerto with the LSO and Maestro Rostropovich. <br /><br />This programme, and the accompanying concert from Moscow are full of dazzling virtuoso pieces by Paganini, Ysaye, Wienawski, Kreisler, Rachmaninov and more - before an ecstatic audience in Moscow's Conservatory. This is a fascinating study of Vengerov at a crucial period in his life - capturing some stunning performance sequences, and revealing his thoughts and emotions as he seeks to change and control his life and broaden his challenges. It provides a uniquely intimate glimpse of a master talent at the peak of his powers, yet still in development, searching for new fields to explore and conquer.

To commemorate Herbert von Karajan's 100th birthday, this 90 minute film documentary will cast the light on the entire complexity of the Karajan phenomenon. While the film will treat the main stations in his career, it will above all undertake the attempt to uncover the true, personal essence of his unique artist behind the public figure. The film is directed by the Oscar nominee Robert Dornhelm.

From the archives of Unitel which was for over twenty years Karajan's production home a wealth of partly unpublished material such as interviews, rehearsals and current statements, will give rise to the portrait of a man who was full of contradictions and remained a mystery until his death. The film, cast in an essay-like narrative form, and not subdivided into purely biographical chapters, explores topics that are important for understanding Karajan's work and personality. Interviews featured include those with Eliette, Isabel and Arabel von Karajan, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Seiji Ozawa, Christian Thielemann, Rene Kollo, Christa Ludwig, Brigitte Fassbaender, Gundula Janowitz, Sir Simon Rattle, Mariss Jansons, Joachim Kaiser and Helmut Schmidt.

Fazil Say’s international reputation continues to grow apace, and he has successfully made the step from child prodigy to highly successful international star. As the French newspaper „Le Figaro“ put it: "He is more than just a brilliant pianist - he is set to become one of the greatest artists of the 21st century".

With his combination of extraordinary strength and absolute technical perfection, Fazil Say is a unique character of a kind seldom found in the world of classical music. His incredible gifts and utter commitment to the music are irresistible - and he successfully unites East and West with his personality and musicality.

The film shows Fazil Say making music with Turkish pop icon Sertab Erener and interpreting Bach and Beethoven in Istanbul. It also presents excerpts from his compositions “Black Earth” and “Nazim” - the latter filmed during a performance in the amphitheatre at Aspendos.

In granting us the rare privilege of entry, the Beijing Opera School offers access to the age-old art form of traditional Chinese opera. Based on a typical day for student and their teachers, the film follows them through dawn-to-dusk activities that include acrobatics, classes in singing, music and dance, makeup sessions, schoolwork, rehearsals and performances.Total immersion in an establishment where discipline is, in many respects, that of a military academy.