DVD Videos

The Dresden Staatskapelle has a living Bruckner tradition, stretching back a century and more, which is lovingly curated by its new music director, Christian Thielemann, who is himself a powerful advocate for the composer’s symphonies as the pinnacle of the Austro-German tradition; and in particular for the Wagnerian resonances of the Seventh, whose Adagio was shaped by news of Wagner’s death in Venice. Hugo Wolf was also deeply affected by that news; his songs, like Bruckner’s symphonies, can be seen as oblique reflections on the influence of Wagner, especially when sung, as they are here by Renée Fleming, with the utmost delicacy and intimacy.

Christian Thielemann’s first concert as Principal Conductor of the Staatskapelle Dresden.

Both Thielemann and Fleming are renowned interpreters of Romantic repertoire.

Bruckner’s 7th Symphony premiered in 1884 to universal acclaim & established him as a serious composer of symphonic music, Wolf’s Songs were composed four years later.

Wolf was a great admirer of Bruckner and both idolized Wagner, whose influence is felt in the 7th Symphony.

Running time: 106 minutes

Subtitles N/A

Sound format: 2.0LPCM + 5.1(5.0) DTS

Written & Directed by François Dupeyron

"Conversations à Rechlin" is a superb blend of music and theatre.

The concept, scenario and staging are the work of the French director and scriptwriter François Dupeyron, famous for The Officer’s Ward and Monsieur Ibrahim and the Flowers of the Koran with Omar Sharif. The production is enhanced by an excellent cast: the well known mezzo-soprano Marie-Claude Chappuis, with Inna Petcheniouk, who brings with her a wealth of experience as an accompanist, and the actor Nicolas Brieger.

Set against a backdrop of Europe in 1944, the end of the Second World War and the collapse of Nazi Germany, the story shows three people brought together by a daily ritual that overcomes the differences between them. Marie-Claude Chappuis performs lieder by Schubert, Schumann and Wolf that form a contrast with the actors‘ situation in the labour camp at Rechlin. An intimate, spiritual interaction among a trio of human beings caught up in a moment of history.

Sound Format: PCM Stereo

Picture Format: 16:9

DVD Format: DVD 9, NTSC

Subtitle Languages: FR, GB, DE

Running Time: 91 mins

FSK: 0

Christa Ludwig is acknowledged as one of the twentieth century’s most explorative and complete vocal artists. Her professional singing career spanned five decades and, as a star of the international operatic stage, she made roles as diverse as Rosina, Dorabella, Cherubino, Leonore, Amneris, Eboli, Kundry, Ortrud, Clytemnestra and the Marschallin her own, excelling in soprano, mezzo and coloratura mezzo repertoire. She also established her reputation as a fine lieder singer. The intimate auditorium of the magnificent neo-baroque Volkstheater in Vienna was packed with a discerning and enthusiastic audience when Christa Ludwig gave a master class there. The intimate auditorium of the magnificent neo-baroque Volkstheater in Vienna was packed with a discerning and enthusiastic audience when Christa Ludwig gave a master class there. The young singers who took part – Valerij Serkin (tenor), Stella Grigorian (mezzo) and Marcus Pelz (baritone) – were all studying at an advanced level, with their sights set on fi nding success as professionals on the operatic stage. Christa Ludwig focused the time she spent with each singer on helping them to find the dramatic truth expressed in the aria of their choice and advising on how they could communicate this in their interpretation. The master class includes pieces by Beethoven, Bizet and Massenet and, at the end, the greatness of her art is recalled as she is seen singing Mistress Quickly in a production of Verdi’s Falstaff (1982).

"On wings of song" - Heine's words and Mendelssohn's immortal melody, sung here by the inimitable Rita Streich, perfectly encapsulate the spirit of this collection. Six of the greatest voices of the last half-century perform a range of familiar music: romantic Wagner from Gré Brouwenstijn and collectors' items such as Egk's four Italian songs from the matchless Irmgard Seefried. These were the commanding voices of their day, from Christa Ludwig's warm mezzo, to Gundula Janowitz's crystalline soprano and the dramatic brilliance of Galina Vishnevskaya, all captured in their prime.

Booklet Notes:Tracklisting in English, French, German.

Among the rediscovered treasures of the BBC archives are two recitals by soprano Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, filmed in 1961 and 1970.At the time, she was at the peak of her powers and was accompanied by the world's greatest accompanist: Gerald Moore. Footage of a public concert, filmed exclusively by French television further illustrates Elisabeth Schwarzkopf's musical excellence. Here, the soprano's voice melds wonderfully with the orchestra's instrumental sonorities in works by Mozart Verdi and Strauss. Her anthology of German Lieder takes us on a journey through the imaginative world of Mozart, Schubert and Wolf. These two recitals allow us to re-encounter Schwarzkopf in her favourite repertoire.

"The pristine beauty of her lyric soprano and the charm of her person, combined with hard work and innate intelligence, lent her performances a compelling authority" The Guardian

"…one of the most dazzling artists of her time" The New York Times

The renowned countertenor displays his art in two television recitals from 1961 and 1962. As a bonus feature, the DVD includes a fascinating interview with Mr. Oberlin produced especially for this release.

39 minutes, black & white

This 1961 Radio-Canada telecast preserves the art of the Greek mezzo-soprano Elena Nikolaidi in a program of music by Gluck, Wolf and Canteloube, ending with a set of two traditional Greek songs. Her accompanist is the pianist Guy Bourassa. Madame Nikolaidi was celebrated in her time for her operatic portrayals, but she was also acclaimed as a recitalist who performed with subtly imaginative acting, as is demonstrated in this video. The DVD also includes an audio-only bonus of Nikolaidi in a fascinating 1989 interview. An important document of a virtuoso who made very few recordings. 28 minutes, black and white.