DVD Videos

Gustav Mahler’s gigantic Symphony No. 2 in C minor usually fi lls out a concert on its own. But in this recording with the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks (Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra) under its principal conductor Mariss Jansons, the work is introduced by an exquisite – and fi tting – choral work: A contemporary (1982) 16-voice arrangement of a song by Mahler, Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen, based on a poem by Friedrich Rückert and originally composed for voice and orchestra in 1901 – performed here by the superb Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks (Bavarian Radio Choir).

The nickname “Resurrection” for Mahler’s Second Symphony is derived from the closing chorus of the last movement, in which Mahler set to music verses from Klopstock’s “Messias”. Although the symphony is a challenge to perform, due to the length of the work as well as the exceptionally large musical scoring, it has become part of the standard repertoire. The Second Symphony is a central work in Mahler’s oeuvre, a work whose Munich performance of 1900 brought him the long hoped-for recognition as composer.

Sound Format: PCM Stereo, DD 5.0

Picture Format: 16:9, 1080i FULL HD

Format: DVD 9 / NTSC

Running Time: 96 mins

FSK: 0

Region Code: 0 (DVD)

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Beethoven wrote his Piano Concerto No. 3 around 1800, at a time in which the ambitious composer had created his fi rst important works in Vienna, such as the “Pathétique” Sonata and the “Moonlight” Sonata – personal works full of power and passion, with which he distanced himself from his mentor and model, Haydn. This performance of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks under the direction of its principal conductor Mariss Jansons stars the distinguished pianist Mitsuko Uchida, who is known the world over for her outstanding interpretations of the piano works of Schubert, Mozart and Beethoven, as well as of 20th-century masters such as Schoenberg, Berg, Webern and Boulez.

Richard Strauss wrote his tone poem for large orchestra Ein Heldenleben (A Hero’s Life) in 1898, shortly before he left Munich for the Berlin Court Opera, where he was appointed house conductor. In the imaginary hero whose eventful life is described in the work, the young Strauss apparently envisioned the freelance artist of his time, who was exposed to considerable hostility during the Wilhelminian era, just as Strauss himself in his early Munich period.

Sound Format: PCM Stereo, DD 5.0, dts-HD Master Audio 5.0

Format: DVD 9 / NTSC

Running Time: 90 mins

FSK: 0

Worldwide available

In 2012 the Deutsche Oper in Berlin had its centennial celebrations. Although today’s building was not opened until 1961, the history of the house on the Bismarckstrasse goes further back: it was built in 1912 and opened as Deutsches Opernhaus upon the initiative of a group of people from Berlin–Charlottenburg as the citizen’s opera in opposition to the Königliche Hofoper, now Staatsoper Unter den Linden. The fi lm illustrates all facets of the different eras of this Berlin opera institution from the beginnings until today through interviews with artists closely connected to the Deutsche Oper Berlin as well as a large variety of archive footage that also includes documentations of rehearsals and performances from the last 100 years.

Sound Format: PCM Stereo

Picture Format: 16:9

DVD Format: DVD 9 / NTSC

Audio Language: Deutsch

Subtitle Languages: GB, FR

Running Time: 89 mins

FSK: 0

This legendary Glyndebourne-production by Jean-Pierre Ponnelle from 1976 stars the outstanding baritone Donald Gramm, who had few equals among bass-baritones and who perfectly embodies the likeable loser Falstaff. He is wonderfully supported by a cast of luminaries in the form of Benjamin Luxon, Elizabeth Gale and Kay Griffel. The London Philharmonic Orchestra is conducted by John Pritchard.

Verdi’s final work is a tribute to one of Shakespeare’s comic characters, the roguish hero Falstaff. In order to avoid his bankruptcy, the old knight Falstaff courts Alice Ford and Meg Page, rich townsmen’s wives. The two amused ladies as well as Falstaff’s former old cronies (Pistola and Bardolfo) and Alice’s jealous husband resolve to play a joke on the complacent and clumsy drunkard. But in the end the mocked Falstaff turns the tables and exposes everything as a game. The moral of this opera: “Tutte nel mondo é burla... Ma ride ben chi ride la risata final” (The whole world is but a joke and he laughs best who laughs last).

Sound Format: PCM Stereo

Picture Format: 4:3

DVD Format: DVD 9 / NTSC

Subtitle Languages: IT (Original Language), GB, DE, FR, ES

Running Time: 118 mins

FSK: 0

Stage Designer DAVID HOCKNEY

Glyndebourne’s 1978 production of Mozart’s Zauberflöte received as much critical acclaim for the imaginative David Hockney sets as for the operatic performance. Hockney, known internationally for his pop art, emphasised the magical and mystical qualities of one of Mozart’s best known operas – and the spirit was wonderfully refl ected in John Cox’s production.

The London Philharmonic Orchestra is conducted by Bernard Haitink.

Mozart’s tale of Papageno and Pince Tamino’s quest to rescue Pamina and overthrow the Queen of the Night is one of his best loved operas and here receives an impressive treatment with Leo Goeke, Felicity Lott and Benjamin Luxon in the leading roles. Essential for such an opera, there is a great happy end: Tamino and Pamina overcome their trials and become a loving couple, the malicious Queen of the Night is humbled and even Papageno finds his Papagena.

Sound Format: PCM Stereo

Picture Format: 4:3

DVD Format: DVD 9 / NTSC

Subtitle Languages: DE (Original Language), FR, GB, ES

Running Time: 163 mins

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Legend has it that “Cloud Gate” is the name of the oldest known dance in China, a ritualistic dance which was supposed to have been performed more than 5,000 years ago. In 1973 the choreographer Lin Hwai-min used this classical name for the company he founded, the Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan, which was the fi rst company in the Chinese speaking part of the world to dedicate itself to the modern dance theatre.

A visually stunning paean to spiritual pilgrimage, “Song of the Wanderers” creates a world intense of reverences, distinctly Asian in its imagery yet with powerful relevance far beyond Asia. Spiritually evocative movement set to soulful Georgian folk songs, brought to life on a truly astonishing set of 3,5 tons of shimmering golden grains of rice.

“Aisa’s leading contemporary dance theatre.” The Times

“One of the finest dance companies in the world.” The Globe and Mail

BONUS: Documentary about the Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan including interviews with the director and artists

Sound Format: PCM Stereo

Picture Format: 16:9

DVD Format: DVD 5 / NTSC

Languages (Bonus): GB (Original Language), DE, FR (Subtitles)

Running Time: 58 mins (ballet) & 22 mins (documentary)

FSK: 0

Giulio Cesare is one of Handel’s most fascinating and exquisite works.

It was brought to Barcelona’s Gran Teatre del Liceu under the direction of Herbert Wernicke, who produced a new adaptation including fragments of other Handel operas such as Rinaldo, Orlando and Tolomeo. This freely-interpreted and updated version does not seek to set the opera in a contemporary context but rather to reveal hidden aspects of the work: its psychology, its history and politics.

The orchestra is conducted by Michael Hofstetter and the title role is sung by the Italian-Spanish countertenor Flavio Oliver, who is one of the leading male sopranos in the world today. Singing opposite him in the role of Cornelia, Polish contralto Ewa Podlés explores the wide range of her warm, agile voice. Soprano Elena de la Merced and mezzo-soprano Maite Beaumont complete the cast. Both are excellent Spanish singers well known on the international scene.

Herbert Wernicke uses this concept to create a transverse encounter between different historical and artistic elements. His production merely transfers to the stage an idea, which Handel himself had shown in Giulio Cesare: disorder as a factor of emotional and cultural wealth.

Sound Format: PCM Stereo, DD 5.1, DTS 5.1

Picture Format: 16:9

DVD Format: 2 x DVD 9 / NTSC

Subtitle Languages: IT (Original Language), FR, GB, ES, DE, CA

Running Time: 216 mins

FSK: 0

This interpretation of Benjamin Britten’s The Turn of the Screw by Michael Hampe was recorded in 1990 at the Schwetzingen SWR Festival in a co-production with the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, London, and the Opera of Cologne in 1990. The Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra played under the direction of Steuart Bedford, an expert in Britten’s orchestral language.

Based on the novel by Henry James The Turn of the Screw is certainly more than just a beautifully spine-chilling gothic story. In his musical rendering, Britten succeeds in masterfully portraying the fateful relationships of the characters involved. Helen Field, Menai Davies, Machiko Obata and Richard Greager bring the characters in this moving plot to life in a very impressive way and convince the audience with superb voices.

BONUS: Introduction to the opera.

Sound Format: PCM Stereo

Picture Format: 4:3

DVD Format: DVD 9 / NTSC

Subtitle Languages: GB (Original Language), DE, FR, ES

Running Time: 114 mins (Opera) & 8 mins (Bonus)

FSK: 0

Pergolesi’s comic opera Lo frate ’nnamorato (The Brother in Love) from 1732 was his ticket to the Royal Chapel in Naples. Its huge success was due to the beautiful score, showing Pergolesi’s talent for opera compositions, and the exquisite Libretto by Gennarantonio Federico. Lo frate ‘nnamorato especially owes its wit and exuberance to the comic resources of improvisational theatre, which is refl ected in the narrative structure and relationships between the dramatis personae. Love triangles, marriage plans that come to nothing, intrigues and more lead the opera along to the unsuspected outcome.

The 2011 Jesi production, set in the 1950s, features an outstanding cast of singers that further present first-class acting skills that drive a line between quintessence and parody, inventive genius and a sense of tradition, caricature and insight into the roles and characters. Nicola Alaimo, Elena Belfiore, Patrizia Biccirè and Jurgita Adamonytė – to name but a few – carry this wonderful production, realized by the young Argentine director Willy Landin.

Fabio Biondi began his career as a Wunderkind Violinist at the age of twelve. In 1990 he founded his fabulous ensemble Europa Galante, which quickly became the most internationally renowned and awarded Italian ensemble of baroque music.

Sound Format: PCM Stereo, DD 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio 5.1

Picture Format: 16:9, 1080i FULL HD

Format: DVD 5 & DVD 9 / NTSC

Subtitle Languages: IT (Original Language), GB, DE, FR, ES, JP, Korean

Running Time: 160 mins

FSK: 0

Region Code: 0

Worldwide available

Hosted by Valerie Solti

The Solti Centenary Concert in Chicago celebrated Sir Georg Solti’s 100th birthday on October 21, 2012, featuring the World Orchestra for Peace. This unique ensemble owes its existence to the vision of its founder, Sir Georg Solti, who believed passionately in peace and the power of music and musicians to be ambassadors for peace.

Charmingly hosted by Solti’s widow, Lady Valerie Solti, and featuring soloists such as Angela Gheorghiu and René Pape as well as members of the Georg Solti Accademia, this memorable evening presents musical highlights, all of which played a significant role in Solti’s life and career.

Besides excerpts from Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, Die Zauberflöte and Don Giovanni or Verdi’s La Traviata and Rigoletto, this concert finds lovely musical moments in the 'Adagietto' from Mahler’s Fifth Symphony, Strauss’ Don Juan and Bartók’s masterful Concerto for Orchestra. Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever as the encore closes the performance with a smash.

Conductor Valery Gergiev was a good friend of his advisor Georg Solti. Together with Lady Valerie Solti and the World Orchestra for Peace he carries on Solti’s vision and maintains his memory.

Special Bonus Feature: “Solti’s Vision”, a film about the World Orchestra for Peace

Sound Format: PCM Stereo, DD 5.1, dts-HD Master Audio 5.1

Format: DVD 9 / NTSC

Subtitle Languages: DE, FR / DE (Bonus)

Running Time: 112 mins + 21 mins (Bonus)

FSK: 0

Worldwide available