DVD Videos

World famous tenor Christoph Prégardien continues his series of recordings for Challenge Classics of Schubert song-cycles, with what many consider to be the composer’s greatest work in the genre “Winterreise”. As with previous critically acclaimed releases in the series the pianist is Michael Gees. This DVD release features video of a performance of the work as well as the documentary “Winterreise, Der dritte Weg” (Winterreise, the third way), which presents interviews with Prégardien and Gees and behind-the-scenes footage of the studio recording process.

DVD specifications:

Region code: 0 (region free)

Rating: E (exempt)

Picture format: 16:9, NTSC (region free)

Sound format: Stereo Dolby Digital 2.0, Surround Dolby Digital 5.1

This DVD release celebrates the life of Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, German lyric baritone and one of the most acclaimed Lieder performers of the late 20th century. Elisabeth Schwarzkopf called him ‘a born god who has it all’. He performed and recorded a great many operatic roles and dominated both the opera and concert platform for over thirty years, being regarded as one of the finest lyrical vocalists of his generation.

In these two concerts from the Opera Theatre of Nuremberg, recorded in 1991 and 1992, Fischer-Dieskau performs beautiful and dramatic Lieder by Franz Schubert and Robert Schumann.

157 MINS • ALL REGIONS • NTSC 4:3 • COLOUR • L-PCM STEREO

Released on DVD for the first time – and the first release from ICA of this astounding artist – this is a rare glimpse into Ashkenazy as a pianist, in the intimate surroundings of a studio.

Captured at the BBC’s Glasgow Studios in 1987 for their Music in Camera series, Ashkenazy demonstrates his talent and artistry as a pianist through this solo performance.

Born in Gorky (now Nizhny Novgorod), in Russia in 1937, Ashkenazy started playing piano at the age of six, showing prodigious talent. He defected from the Soviet Union to London in 1963, becoming an Icelandic citizen in 1972, and later taking up his current residence of Switzerland – all the while maintaining his artistic integrity. As his career as a pianist blossomed, he took up the baton, becoming principal conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the conductor laureate of the Czech Philharmonic.

A multifaceted performer, his talents as a pianist helped him to mould a career that has been recognised with many rewards, including second prize at the 1955 International Chopin Competition in Warsaw, first prize at the Queen Elisabeth Music Competition in Brussels a year later and joint first, together with John Ogdon, at the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 1962. He is a multiple Grammy Award winner and is widely considered to be ‘one of the great virtuoso pianists of our era’ (The Guardian).

This DVD showcases Ashkenazy at the peak of his powers as a pianist, performing Schubert’s Impromptus D946 Nos. 1 & 2 and the Wanderer Fantasy, alongside Schumann’s widely-loved Arabeske and Piano Sonata No.1 – a piece that is certainly an unusual and interesting choice for such a recital. His calm exterior means that all of his energy is projected into infusing this performance with the variety each piece affords.

The recital demonstrates Ashkenazy’s versatility and musical skill through the extreme contrasts of the Impromptus, the lyrical, song-like grace and virtuosic flair of the Wanderer Fantasy, and the elegant yet exciting rendition of Schumann’s innovative Piano Sonata No.1.

Sound format: Enhanced Mono

DVD format: NTSC

Picture format: 4:3

Running time: 82’

Subtitles: n/a

Menu languages: English

Booklet languages: E/F/G

Region code: 0

Territory Restrictions: None

Music by Schubert

Franz Schubert’s song cycle Winterreise was written late in his life. It is regarded both as a highlight of the genre and as the touchstone by which lieder singers are judged. To succeed in interpreting Winterreise is the artistic equivalent of a patent of nobility for a singer. The song cycle certainly became one of Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau’s calling cards and it is probably this work that made the baritone an international household name. In this recording made for the Sender Freies Berlin in January 1979, we see two of the leading musicians of their day in the prime of their lives and at the very peak of their art and experience appearing together in the service of Schubert’s Winterreise. Both the experienced Schubert lieder singer and the Austrian pianist Alfred Brendel, known throughout the world for his authoritative interpretations of Schubert’s piano music – had performed Winterreise together frequently between 1975 and 1989.

In 1991, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau finally agreed to perform Schubert’s Die Schöne Müllerin at the Feldkirch Schubertiade - he had not sung the song-cycle in public for twenty years. The great baritone belonged to the innermost circle of artists who give this unique, Austrian festival of chamber music its distinctive character. He had performed Schubert there on many occasions, but never Die Schöne Müllerin. The pianist András Schiff was another long-standing member of the inner circle, but this was the artists’ first collaboration in Feldkirch – and so Austrian Television (ORF) recorded the concert.

BONUS: The Rehearsal & Fischer-Dieskau in conversation

Sound Format: PCM Stereo

Picture Format: 4:3

DVD Format: DVD 5 & DVD 9 / NTSC

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

Running Time: 135 mins (performance) + 76 mins (bonus)

FSK: 0

In 1991, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau agreed to perform Schubert‘s Die Schöne Müllerin at the Feldkirch Schubertiade - he had not sung the song-cycle in public for twenty years. The great baritone belonged to the innermost circle of artists who give this unique, Austrian festival of chamber music its distinctive character. He had performed Schubert there on many occasions, but never Die Schöne Müllerin. The pianist András Schiff was another long-standing member of the inner circle, but this was the artists‘ fi rst collaboration in Feldkirch - and so Austrian Television (ORF) recorded the concert. During another Schubertiade a few years earlier, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau was interviewed by music journalist Franz Zoglauer. The resulting documentary of singer, painter and private person augments the concert presented on this DVD. The singer speaks of his affinity to Schubert and the composer‘s influence on the whole Lieder repertoire. This is a unique occasion, not only for the listeners in the hall but also for the two artists, who experienced their collaboration on the podium as something quite exceptional. The viewer can see this in the artists‘ animated give and take, their spontaneous mutual reactions, the creative excitement and a rare artistic vivacity. Both remember the evening as a special event, and without any hesitation consented to the recording being issued on DVD to make it available to a wider public.

SPECIAL FEATURE: Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau in conversation

Sound Format: PCM Stereo

Picture Format: 4:3

DVD Format: DVD 5, NTSC

Subtitles: GB, DE, FR, ES, IT / Bonus: GB, FR, IT, ES

Running Time: 83

Lars Vogt's performance at the 2011 Verbier Festival, in the mountains of Switzerland, is an exercise in virtuosity.

A challenging program of Janáček, Schubert, Beethoven and Brahms is followed by bonus material including a Mozart concerto and a Chopin nocturne.

The German pianist Vogt proves himself more than up to the task, with an inspiring performance of the rarely performed In the Mists, then striking the subtle balance between the delicacy required of a Brahms Intermezzo and the boisterousness of Beethoven's last piano sonata.

Picture format DVD: NTSC 16:9

Sounds format DVD: PCM Stereo

Region code: 0

Booklet notes: English, German, French

Running time: 75 min

A new release of the EuroArts' sub-label "Recorded Excellence - Historical Value" and series of Metropolitan Munich programs.

For generations, the bitter-sweet Schubert piano works presented here have delighted music lovers with their irresistible mix of regretful tenderness and euphoric innocence. András Schiff’s exquisitely nuanced performances of the much loved Impromptus and Moments musicaux demonstrate to perfection why he is universally regarded as one of today’s finest interpreters of Schubert.

Also available: András Schiff plays Schubert I (DVD Cat. No. 2066798) released in June 2012 features Schubert's, Piano Trio op.99, Piano Trio op. 100, Arpeggione Sonata D.821 in A minor, recorded in 1991.

Picture format DVD: NTSC 16:9

Sound format DVD: PCM Stereo

Region code: 0

Booklet notes: English, German, French

Runnning time: 97 mins

A new release from the series of Metropolitan Munich programs.

Classified as EuroArts "Recorded Excellence", with high historical value and special pricing.

András Schiff, Yuuko Shiokawa and Miklós Perényi play the Schubert Piano Trios with energy and sensitivity, bringing out all the contrasts and subtle shades of this joyful pieces.

The Trios were among the only of Schubert's late compositions he heard performed before his death.

The final piece on this DVD production features the less well-known ‘Arpeggione’ Sonata, given here in its arrangement for the cello. This work possesses Schubert’s characteristic mixture of cheerful vigour and wistful melancholy, and is performed by Schiff and Perényi with imagination and elegance.

András Schiff plays Schubert II (DVD Cat. No. 2066808) will be released in June 2012 and features Schubert's 4 Impromptus D.899 op.90, 4 Impromptus D.935 op. 142 and 6 Moments Musicaux D.780 op.94, recorded in 1989.

Picture format DVD: NTSC 16:9

Sound format DVD: PCM Stereo

Region code: 0

Booklet notes: English, German, French

Runnning time: 118 mins

This amazing set gathers together the 3 collaborations between film director Chantal Akerman and cellist Sonia Wieder-Atherton.

As an interpreter of an extremely broad repertory that reflects her imaginative world, a designer of projects, and a musician sought after by many contemporary composers, Sonia Wieder-Atherton occupies a place apart on today’s musical scene. She has played as soloist with the Orchestre de Paris, the Orchestre National de France, the Belgian National Orchestra, the Liege Philharmonic, the Israel Philharmonic, the Lisbon Gul-benkian Orchestra, the Luxemburg Philharmonic, the Hanover NDR Orchestra . . .Pascal Dusapin, George Aperghis and others have written numerous works for her.

She has been invited by many festivals to perform the musical projects that she conceives and stages, in venues such as the Cité de la Musique, the Théâtre de la Ville, the Strasbourg Musica, the Bath Music Festival, Cheltenham, Houston Opera and Dortmund Opera. She has recently signed an exclusive contract with the record company Naïve.

2 DVDs and CD:

DVD1 - Avec Sonia Wieder-Atherton

DVD 2 - A l'Est avec Sonia Wieder-Atherton

Bonus CD - Extracts from the soundtrack of Chantal Akerman's film 'A Couch in New York'