DVD Videos

Volume 3 of Michel Chapuis’ journey through the styles and history of organ improvisations. This volume concentrates on the Germanic style and is played on the famous Organ of Aubertin de Saint Louis-en-Ile, in Paris. The DVD includes not only the improvisations themselves but also a film following the restoration of the organ and detailed interviews with Chapuis about the organ and development of the ‘French Improvisation’. Naturally, as one would also expect, the booklet contains detailed documentation on the specifications of this magnificent instrument.

PLAY YOUR OWN THING is an exploration of the origins, first steps and changes of direction that have repeatedly occurred in European jazz in the search for that elusive “voice of one's own”. Neither too sophisticated nor simply reproducing the story of jazz from A-Z, this fascinating documentary leaves its audience to come up with individual impressions of European jazz, both past and present

A singer’s voice is a reflection of who they are and understanding who a singer is can only increase understanding of their art. So says international tenor Nigel Douglas. And this is the starting point for this fascinating documentary in which Douglas sets out to discover the roots of the three greatest tenors who have ever lived: Enrico Caruso, Beniamino Gigli and Jussi Björling. The film was shot entirely on location in Italy, Sweden and London. It contains archive footage of all three singers taken from newsreels, feature films and concerts. There are extensive examples of their singing and interviews with people who knew them, from the son of Gigli’s gardener and soprano Elisabeth Soderstrom to Mary Ellis (the original Rose Marie) who sang with Caruso during his last appearances at the Met.

Regarded as the "Father of American ballet," and having created 425 works, George Balanchine is often considered to be the foremost choreographer of the 20th century.<br><br>In this documentary film, Balanchine celebrates his artistry and pays tribute to the themes of his ballets. Through rare archival audio and video footage, interviews, film, and photographs, the programme traces Balanchine's life from his youth at the Mariinsky Theatre, through his work for Hollywood and Broadway, to his creation of the New York City Ballet. It also examines his thoughts on dance, using interviews with the choreographer himself, and features selections from many of his ballets, including Chaconne, Agon, Symphony in C, Apollo, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Western Symphony, among others.

Directed by Steve Cole<br /><br />This film tells the story of Dame Joan Sutherland – one of the greatest operatic performers of the late twentieth century.

Shy and lacking in confidence, she sang unnoticed at Covent Garden for seven years after arriving from Australia, but over the course of twelve months she was transformed into ‘La Stupenda’.

Focusing on the two roles that launched her on the international stage, ‘Lucia di Lammermoor’ and ‘Alcina’, this documentary tells her story through major new interviews with Dame Joan, Richard Bonynge, Franco Zeffirelli, Plácido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, Marilyn Horne and Sherrill Milnes.