Prices shown exclude VAT. (UK tax is not payable for deliveries to United States.)
See Terms & Conditions for p&p rates. | |  |
This production was recorded in 1954 and features a cast of specialists, the caliber of which would be hard to assemble today. Giulini was only emerging as a young conductor. The 1950s are renowned as the golden age of the revival of romantic opera. NTSC (Black & white) REGION: 0 SUBTITLES: No | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
|
|
| |  | A Handel CelebrationThe Sixteen’s sell-out Proms concert
Harry Christophers and The Sixteen have long been celebrated for their interpretations of Handel’s great masterpieces. In this BBC Prom from the Royal Albert Hall they capture some of the composer’s most ebullient moments in concert performance, from the ever popular Arrival of the Queen of Sheba to the ubiquitous sounds of Zadok the Priest. All Four Coronation Anthems feature on this DVD as well as virtuosic excerpts from the oratorio Semele sung by Carolyn Sampson, and the Organ Concerto in F major performed by Alastair Ross in its original version which finishes with a rousing ‘Alleluia’ chorus. Bonus features include two works not shown in the BBC Two broadcast - Coronation Anthem My heart is inditing and Salve Regina. Bonus Features include: Exclusive Interview with Harry Christophers. Bonus Tracks: Coronation Anthem My heart is inditing Salve Regina (Carolyn Sampson soprano) Artist Biographies and Images “Harry Christophers's crack team pulls out all the stops...if the pomp and regal circumstance undoubtedly impress, Christophers's tender shaping of the sighing phrase, his expressive dynamic palate, combined with an ear for orcehstral detail, impress even more.” BBC Music Magazine, September 2010 **** | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
|
|
| |  |
Valery Gergiev chose to perform this work at his final concerts as principal conductor of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra. This memorable event – the finale of an era in the life of the conductor as well as in the history of the orchestra – was captured on film, and is now being released on DVD. For the performances, and recording, of this work, in which the choir plays a central role, the orchestra invited the renowned Swedish Radio Choir, as well as the soloists Solveig Kringelborn and Mariusz Kwiecien. Live recording made on 25th May 2008 at de Doelen Concert Hall, Rotterdam, for Valery Gergiev’s final concert as principal conductor of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra “This is a very deeply felt account, sung and played and directed by Gergiev with intense conviction...Mariusz Kwiecien is an authoritative baritone, Solveig Kringelborn meltingly maternal in her solo.” BBC Music Magazine, August 2010 **** “this performance is successful through its fundamental seriousness and earnest commitment. The Swedish Radio Choir, on which so much in this piece depends, is splendid. Anyone who has not heard the Polish baritone Mariusz Kwiecien should try to do so at the earliest opportunity. He's a solid musician who sings naturally and effortlessly” International Record Review, September 2010 | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
|
|
| |  | Martha Argerich – Evening Talksa film by Georges Gachot
Martha Argerich is the last remaining pianist of legend. A wild child and a rebel at heart, this legendary Argentinean musician is surrounded by an aura of mystery: some find her too uncompromising, others generous and beautiful, yet to all she is without doubt incredibly talented. Martha Argerich has long been hailed as one of the greatest and most uniquely imaginative pianists. Thanks to these "evening talks", Georges Gachot lifts a corner of the veil: Martha Argerich shares with us her memories, confides in us her doubts, and transmits to us her incredible appetite for music making. Images of Argentina, rehearsals in the concert hall or at home, excerpts of recent concerts and archival clips complete this unique film on one of the most secretive and endearing artists of our time. This outstanding documentation received several awards: Prix Italia 2002, A Honorable Mention, 36th NY Expo of short film and video, 2002 and Czech Crystal for Best Documentary - Golden Prague 2002. “Argerich, simply and assuredly, is one of the most magisterial talents in the history of piano playing.”The Gramophone Magazine Picture format DVD: NTSC 16:9 Sounds formats DVD: PCM Stereo, DD 5.1 Region code: 0 Subtitles: French, English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese Booklet notes: English + international press articles in original languages (French, Spanish, English, German), Running time: 63 mins + Extras: 38 mins FSK: 0 “…any lover of great pianism will find enormous pleasure here. The longest sequence is a rehearsal of the Schumann Piano Concerto, which she plays with ecstatic involvement, bringing the orchestra to glowing life with her absorption and dedication.” BBC Music Magazine, August 2008 **** “The resulting 63-minute film-portrait offers valuable insight into her musical intuition and charisma. The one-time Latin beauty has turned into a sexagenarian of dignity, warmth and wisdom, qualities she now
gladly imparts to a younger generation.” Financial Times, 16th August 2008 “Pin down Martha Argerich's genius and she walks away with the pin. Most magisterially gifted of all pianists, her quixotic personality flashes in and out of the Medici Arts film 'Evening Talks', at once confiding and capricious as she reflects on the nature of her fraught and zigzag career. Camera-shy ('I'm not an exhibitionist like those people on Big Brother; they actually enjoy being filmed!'), she admits that if (heaven forbid) she was 'a Martha Argerich fan, she would love to see this movie'. Above all there is a sense of healing or recovery, a coming-toterms with her gifts. For years, she confesses, her face clouding with memories, she felt like someone hurled into a swimming pool, unable to swim and with an increasing sense that her instinctive ability was not counterbalanced by reason or understanding. Catapulted into stardom, she travelled incessantly, met few people of her own age and became confused and depressed. And after reading a sizeable amount of Gide and Dostoyevsky (both obsessed with the idea of the outlaw) she decided to 'transgress', to tell her agent that she had injured her hand before cutting her finger to avoid further public appearances.
Happily such harrowing talk is balanced by a growing sense of realism and confidence as depression shades into whimsy and, finally, stability.
She confesses to a heavy debt to Friedrich Gulda, with whom she studied and who she idealised ('I never knew anyone so gifted or extraordinary'). From him she learnt about humour in early Beethoven while confessing that the trills in the central outburst of the slow movement of the Fourth Concerto unnerved her ('I could never play that piece'). Under his stern but often playful guidance she achieved a lighter view of life ('In Argentina we only did 'feelings' and bel canto'). Gradually forgetting a time when she thought that one wrong note spelt the end of her career, she relished a jazz critic's comment – 'your Bach swings' – and Erroll Garner's response when he was told his jazz was influenced by Debussy ('Who was that dude?'). She accidentally learnt Prokofiev's Third Concerto while asleep, absorbing a neighbour's performance complete with inaccuracies.
Today she rejoices in her appearances with a multitude of exceptionally talented musicians, cherishing their artistry and friendship.
Her repertoire may have shrunk but this enables her to recreate endlessly her favoured works, to take risks and live dangerously. For her nothing is set in stone and the Schumann Piano Concerto, for example, is 'forever warm and still to be enjoyed'. A portrait of this elusive artist at all stages of her career, 'Evening Talks' comes triumphantly close to revealing the very essence of Martha Argerich.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010 “Argerich, simply and assuredly, is one of the most magisterial talents in the history of piano playing.” Gramophone Magazine | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
|
|
| |  | Grigory Sokolov, Live in ParisA film by Bruno Monsaingeon
Performance recorded on 4 November 2002, Paris Grigory Sokolov, a giant of the piano. Maybe today’s greatest pianist... Sold out concerts a few days only after the putting up for sale of the tickets... A real phenomenon not to be missed... The only existing DVD with this exceptional artist is once again available. A dim light picks out the outlines of the hall. Suddenly a massive shadow appears and moves swiftly over to the keyboard. There follows the vaguest of unsmiling acknowledgements in the general direction of the audience, and then the music begins. Throughout the next two hours, this music will keep its listener enthralled with its extraordinary intensity as the audience senses the formidable physical, pianistic, musical and emotional presence of this most secretive of present-day pianists, Grigory Sokolov. “Cosmic Piano. Since, as for Glenn Gould, but in opposite aesthetics, one might say: ‘There is Sokolov, and there are the pianists’.” Le Figaro, November 2007 Picture format DVD: NTSC 16:9 Sounds formats DVD: PCM Stereo Region code: 0 Booklet notes: English, French Running time: 123 mins FSK: 0 | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
|
|
| |  | Sung in Danish
Johan Reuter (Johann Friedrich Struensee), Gert Henning-Jensen (King Christian VII), Elisabeth Jansson (Queen Caroline Mathilde), Sten Byriel (Ove Høegh-Guldberg), Djina Mai-Mai (Bootee-Caterine) & Gitta-Maria Sjøberg (Queen Dowager Juliane Marie) Royal Danish Opera Choir & Royal Danish Orchestra, Bo Holten Based on the bestselling novel by P.O. Enquist Bo Holten's new opera The Visit of the Royal Physician, based on the best-selling novel by Per Olov Enquist, was a great success with both audience and critics after its premiere in 2009. The opera is set in the 1770s, one of the most dramatic periods in Danish history, and is a story of tragic love, intrigue and a lust for power. It tells the story of the young, idealistic doctor Struensee who dreams of creating a new and better world. He is given the chance to put his ideas into practice when, almost by coincidence, he becomes royal physician to the insane King Christian VII. Soon he is also the lover of the young Queen Caroline Mathilde. The result is a disaster for all those involved. The performance was recorded at the Copenhagen Opera and is conducted by the composer. Region Code: 0 Subtitles: English, German and French Running Time: c. 154 min + 37 min bonus material Bonus material: Interviews with Bo Holten, Eva Sommestad Holten, Johan Reuter, Elisabeth Jansson, Gert Henning-Jensen “Holten has gone to great length to achieve diversity of style without shallow opportunism and, more practically, to ensure that the voices are not swamped...Most striking of all, to me, is Struensee's monologue near the end of Act 1, where he senses his mission, and the music superbly articulates the mixture of noble intent and unease...Holten has produced a serious, thought-provoking drama and as such it is not to be missed.” Gramophone Magazine, December 2011 | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
|
|
| |  | Pierre Boulez conducts StravinskyRecorded at the Musée du Louvre - Paris, 2 December 2008
Pierre Boulez is celebrating his 85th anniversary on the 26th March 2010. He is especially famed for his polished interpretations of twentieth century classics in general and Stravinsky in particular. Clarity, precision, rhythmic agility and a respect for the composers' intentions as notated in the musical score are the hallmarks of his conducting style. This live performance of Stravinsky’s Firebird under the Pyramid of the Louvre Museum was the culminating point of a “Boulez cycle” at the Louvre - a rare and spectacular setting. Bonus: Boulez’ introduction to Stravinsky’s Firebird with live musical illustrations by the Orchestre de Paris and historical footage. A once in a lifetime opportunity to see music through the eyes of one of our most famous contemporary composers/conductors Pierre Boulez. “Pierre Boulez is arguably the most influential and controversial figure in the world of music today. Boulez is known as the young Turk of post-war avant-garde composition who has steadily transformed himself into one of the most authoritative interpreters of standard 19th and 20th-century music.” The Guardian Sounds formats DVD: PCM Stereo, DD 5.1, DTS 5.1 Region code: 0 Booklet notes: English, German, French Running time: 51 mins (Performance) + 54 mins (Documentary) FSK: 0 “Boulez generates unity and inevitability by knitting Stravinsky's motifs together...As a DVD extra [he] leads a 50-minute "all you need to know about the Firebird" lecture, pulling the piece apart and showing how Stravinsky makes the orchestra sound like no-one else.” Gramophone Magazine, November 2010 | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
|
|
| |  | Beethoven’s FifthA Rediscovery
Acclaimed keyboard virtuoso Jos Van Immerseel and his period orchestra Anima Eterna rediscover Beethoven’s Fifth. Recorded in High Definition (with Surround Sound) and with neck-flexing camerawork, this performance at the Concert Noble (Brussels) makes for an electrifying live event. The concert is accompanied by a documentary which expands on the music and the musicians. “The documentary's subject is Immerseel, his international band of period virtuosos, and the instruments they play...The film direction is high on professional polish” Gramophone Magazine, August 2010 | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
|
|
| |  | Cyprien Katsaris - Live in ShanghaiThe International Piano Festival of Shanghai Conservatory of Music – 4th October, 2005
Bach, J S: | Toccata & Fugue in D minor, BWV565 trans. Katsaris Prelude in F major, BWV927 trans. Alexander Il'yich Ziloti | Carrasco: | Adios | Chopin: | Nocturne No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 9 No. 2 | Gottschalk, L: | Le banjo - fantaisie grotesque, Op. 15 (RO22) arr. Katsaris | Guang: | Silver Clouds Chasing the Moon | Halévy: | La reine de Chypre: Overture trans. Wagner | Liszt: | Trauer-Vorspiel und Trauermarsch, S206 (1885) Nuages gris, S199 Hungarian Rhapsody, S244 No. 5 in E minor 'Héroïde-élégiaque' Csárdás obstinée, S. 225 No. 2 arr. Katsaris Benediction de Dieu dans la solitude (Harmonies poétiques et religieuses, S. 173 No. 3) Am Grabe Richard Wagners, S202 (1883) Isolde's Liebestod (after Wagner), S447 Ave Maria, S558 No. 12 (after Schubert) Der Müller und der Bach (No. 2 from Müllerlieder von Franz Schubert, S565) Ständchen - Leise flehen meine Lieder (No. 7a from Schwanengesang, S560, after Schubert) | Schubert: | Rosamunde, D797: Ballet Music No. 2 trans. Ernst Pauer |
On this DVD Cyprien Katsaris performs works by Liszt, Wagner, Guang, Halévy, Schubert, Bach, Chopin, Gottschalk and Carrasco. “With the Benediction de Dieu, Katsaris rises to its theatrical heights with some wonderfully fluent passagework, rounding off the first half with a no less impassioned account of Isolde's Liebestod...a final Bach Prelude [was] played with such exquisite poignancy that it took my breath away.” Gramophone Magazine, October 2010 | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
|
|
| |  | Parsifal - The Search for the GrailRecorded: Mariinsky Theatre, St Petersburg, Ravello, Siena, Bayreuth
Tony Palmer’s documentary about Richard Wagner’s opera ‘Parsifal’, with extracts from Tony Palmer’s stage production of Parsifal starring Placido Domingo, Violeta Urmana, Matti Salminen and Anna Netrebko. The Grail – the cup which Jesus Christ is said to have used at The Last Supper – is one of the most powerful symbols in Western culture. Wagner’s three-act opera, Parsifal, is the most famous work which celebrates the search for the Grail. Parsifal is an opera about ideas, about philosophical questions rather than answers, where the questions themselves are what is important, and the power and eloquence with which they are expressed. With the help of a rare interview with Wolfgang Wagner, Richard Wagner’s grandson, who explains what his grandfather intended and why, plus an all-star cast including the first performance on film of Anna Netrebko, this documentary explores the explosive nature of Wagner’s dangerous ideas. Wagner was virulently anti-Semitic - to this day, it is not possible to perform Parsifal in Israel - and thus provided the Nazis with some powerful cultural propaganda, because for Hitler, Parsifal, the hero of the opera, was pure Aryan blood. When the film was originally released on DVD, the Germans censored 30 minutes of the film which they considered ‘political’, ‘uncomfortable’ and ‘irrelevant’. This is the original version, uncensored, as approved by Domingo. “It succeeds in exploring the legend of Parsifal quite brilliantly, while making it brutally relevant to us today.” John Ardoin, Great Performances (PBS) Interviews: With Placido Domingo, Wolfgang Wagner, Robery Gutman & Karen Armstrong Duration: 116 mins Classification: Exempt Picture Format: 16:9 Sound Format: Stereo Region Code: All Language: English Subtitles: None | | | Usually despatched in 4 - 5 working days. |
|
|
| |
|
