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See Terms & Conditions for p&p rates. | |  | Recorded live Nationaltheater, Munich, July 2007
Edita Gruberova (Lucrezia), Pavol Breslik (Gennaro), Franco Vassallo (Don Alfonso), Alice Coote (Maffio Orsini), Bruno Ribeiro (Jeppo Liverotto), Christian Rieger (Don Aposto Gazella), Christopher Magiera (Ascanio Petrucci), Erik Årman (Oloferno Vitellozzo), Steven Humes (Gubetta), Emanuele D'Aguanno (Rustighello), Christian Van Horn (Astolfo) Chor der Bayerischen Staatsoper & Bayerisches Staatsorchester, Bertrand de Billy "The raison d'etre of this new production of Lucrezia Borgia at the Bayerische Staatsoper is undoubtedly the great Edita Gruberova. Sopranos come and go, but there is always Edita, who has been in front of the public for almost forty years and still going strong, thank you very much. At the age of 62, many of her contemporaries would likely have retired to a teaching post somewhere, or at least moved on to the old ladies, the maids, the witches, and other assorted "character roles" in opera, or disappeared from public view altogether. Not Edita Gruberova, who remains the undisputed Queen of Bel Canto. …Her coloratura - and the seemingly infinite variations in dynamics - is as amazing as ever. …Lucrezia is not exactly a charming character, poisoning everyone in sight, but Gruberova managed to make her sympathetic.The final scene was a vocal and dramatic tour de force that one rarely encounters these days. She was well partnered by a fellow Slovak, tenor Pavel Breslik, who was an exceptionally fine Gennaro. Celebrated in Mozart, I wasn't prepared for his idiomatic Italian, his plangent timbre and stylish yet heart-onsleeve singing/acting was an unalloyed pleasure. Looking handsome and youthful, he complemented the soprano perfectly…he is a natural candidate for any director wanting to show some flesh onstage, witness his Idamante last season. Christof Loy had him scraping a knee, taking off his shirt ostensibly to wipe off the blood.Another example - the libretto calls for Gennaro to destroy Lucrezia's coat of arms. In this contemporary production, it was replaced by her name in large illuminated letters attached to the gray background. Gennario rips the B off her name and throws it on the stage floor - rather amusing as "ORGIA" remains on the wall, the implications of which rather unmistakable. The production is extremely pared-down, with really no set to speak of, a bare stage save for a few office chairs.Yet there is something to be said about this approach, as it allows one to focus on the emotional and dramatic core of the work. ...Ultimately this is a vehicle for the prima donna so nothing else really matters, especially when the diva delivered in spades like last evening…The third vocal standout was British mezzo Alice Coote as Maffio Orsini.The Gennaro-Maffio duet was a highlight of the evening…her Act Two extended scena was terrific. BONUS: The Art of Bel Canto - Edita Gruberova A Portrait an empathic portrait of the Queen of coloratura, Edita Gruberova, prima donna assoluta. NTSC 16:9, PCM Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1 Region Code: 0 Original language: Italian Subtitles: English, German, French, Italian Booklet Notes: English, German, French Running Time: 129 mins + 54 mins Documentary German FSK: 6 “Christof Loy's serious contemporary production has simple modern clothes… and little scenery… Entries, exits and who is onstage are treated in deconstructionist fashion. This is exciting in Act 2 where the constant presence of the Duca (Alfonso) and his oily henchman Rustighello at Princess Negroni's party is not realistic but hugely underlines the threat to Gennaro, Maffio Orsini and their friends visiting Ferrara. The Slovak soprano legend Edita Gruberová... produces a dramatic performance of concentration, at its most convincing in Act 2 where her age meshes well with the character of distraught mother. The handsome Slovakian tenor Pavol Breslik is a star Gennaro of passion and agility, and Alice Coote is a convincingly butch Maffio. The orchestra play richly for de Billy who sounds at home in this repertoire.” Gramophone Magazine, March 2010 “the major vocal honours of the evening belong to Pavol Breslik as Gennaro. He sings with excellent diction, variety of tone and good characterisation whilst acting with conviction...If the production and staging lacks cohesion and conviction, thankfully those convictions are present in the pit under the direction of Bertrand de Billy.” MusicWeb International, June 2012 | | | This item is currently out of stock at the UK distributor. You may order it now but please be aware that it may be six weeks or more before it can be despatched. |
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| |  | Live from the Haydnsaal at Schloss Esterhazy Eisenstadt, Austria
This performance in the beautiful historic concert hall of Schloss Esterhazy in Eisenstadt (Austria) is a tribute to one of the world's greatest musical genius, Joseph Haydn, on the occasion of his 200th anniversary of death in 1809. Joseph Haydn spent most his life in Eisenstadt at Schloss Esterhazy.The Concert was recorded at the historical venue at Schloss Esterhazy Eisenstadt, Austria in May 2009. The Austro-Hungarian Haydn Orchestra, founded in 1987 by internationally renowned conductor Adam Fischer, consists of musicians from the Vienna Phil and the main Budapest-based orchestras. Thomas Quasthoff's Birthday celebration in November 2009 will draw a lot of attention to this latest recording, (Nov 9, 1959) and he garnered rave reviews for his performances in this role, earlier this year with René Jacobs at the Barbican. This live-broadcast of The Creation represents a DVD media highlight of Haydn-year 2009. NTSC 16:9, PCM Stereo, DD 5.1, DTS 5.1 Region code: 0 Original language: German Subtitles: English, French, German Booklet Notes: French, German, English Running time: 108 mins Audience: all “…the chamber choir is finely disciplined and light on its collective feet, the orchestra has good period manners and conductor Adam Fischer provides firm and keenly motivated direction. Baritone Thomas Quasthoff is in a league of his own: there's an intensity to his lyricism that ruses to a sense of wonder as he contemplates the marvels of the natural world, and throughout his singing is purposeful and direct. The filming of this live concert is entirely straightforward and without any fancy camerawork. No extras attached to the DVD, but there's a good general introduction to the piece contained in the accompanying booklet.” BBC Music Magazine, January 2010 *** | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Europa Konzert 2009Recorded live at the Teatro San Carlo, Naples, May 1st 2009
This year's Europa Konzert took place in Naples, Riccardo Muti's home town.The charismatic conductor and the Berlin Philharmonic together with Violeta Urmana, one of the leading sopranos in the Italian dramatic genre, present the overture of Verdi's magnificent opera La Forza del Destino and La canzone dei ricordi (The Song of Memories) for soprano by Giuseppe Martucci (1820-1869). Martucci's song cycle was originally conceived as a work for voice and piano, but found its final form and highest expression in the arrangement for soprano and orchestra. The Lithuanian-born singer has justly became world famous for her interpretation of roles such as Aida, Amelia, Elisabetta, Gioconda, Leonora, Tosca and Norma. She is currently receiving rave reveiws for her Isolde at Bregenz which she takes to the Met and Berlin later this year. Schubert's 'Great Symphony' completes this fantastic concert at the formidable Teatro San Carlo. NTSC - 16:9, PCM Stereo, DD 5.1, DTS 5.1 Region code: 0 Original language: Italian Subtitles: English, French, German, Italian Booklet Notes: French, German, English Running time: 90 mins Audience: all “If the journey is comfortable, there are still plenty of features to admire in the driving. The symphony begins in stately fashion, the inner parts in the violas and cellos lovingly brought out...With unobtrusive camera-work, this is a solid achievement.” Gramophone Magazine, May 2010 | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Sacred Music
Bach, J S: | St John Passion, BWV245 The Bach Collegium Japan has been regarded for some years now as a real discovery among baroque ensembles specialising in the performance of sacred music from the Baroque and Masaaki Suzuki, who conducts and plays the harpsichord, is a complete and thorough musician. Bach Collegium Japan, Masaaki Suzuki Mass in B minor, BWV232 The artistry of the performers under the assured baton of conductor George Christoph Biller is exemplary and the state-of-the-art filming shows the serene gothic church in full splendour - a fitting backdrop for the work that is generally regarded as the crowning glory of Bach's sacred choral music; a majestic work that showcases Bach's supreme craftsmanship and skill as a choral composer. Thomanerchor Leipzig & Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Georg Christoph Biller | Beethoven: | Missa Solemnis in D major, Op. 123 On this DVD state-of-the-art recording Beethoven's overwhelming music blends wonderfully with the camera shots of the impressive space.The cast of soloists is excellent. It includes Camilla Nylund and René Pape, among the most outstanding singers of the younger generation.A bonus film features the reconstruction of the Frauenkirche. Camilla Nylund & René Pape Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden Orchestra, Fabio Luisi | Verdi: | Requiem Lorin Maazel's tour with the Symphonica Toscanini, called "In the Footsteps of Toscanini", culminated in two concerts in Venice of Verdi's Requiem, a showpiece of Toscanini's, and St Mark's proved to be an ideal venue for this eloquent and musically impressive confessional work. Norma Fantini & Anna Smirnova Lorin Maazel |
This DVD box combines the most known and beloved works in sacred music of the three greatest composers of all time.Those works were, are and always will be essential to music. NTSC · 16:9, PCM Stereo · DD 5.1 · DTS 5.1 Region Code: 0 Booklet Notes: GB, D, F Subtitles: DVD 1 & 2: Lat, GB, D, F, E / DVD 3: GB, D, F / DVD 4: Lat, GB, D, F Running Time: 419 mins in total FSK: all audiences | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | The Essential Beethoven
Beethoven: | Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 'Choral' The West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, technically brilliant and incredibly enthusiastic orchestra brings out all levels of Beethoven's 9th symphony and we listen to Beethoven at his very best: exuberant, emotional, lucid, tender, clear, triumphant… simply magnificent! The standing ovations are well deserved! Angela Denoke,Waltraud Meier, Burkhard Fritz & René Pape The West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, Daniel Barenboim Leonore Overture No. 3, Op. 72b The West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, Daniel Barenboim String Quartet No. 4 in C minor, Op. 18 No. 4 This DVD is a unique document of a Beethoven concert the Juilliard String Quartet gave at Polling in Bavaria in 1975.The viewer can enjoy, in an idyllic setting, chamber music in its purest form, where communication within the ensemble takes centre stage and there is no place for star allure. Juilliard String Quartet String Quartet No. 7 in F major, Op. 59 No. 1 'Rasumovsky No. 1' Juilliard String Quartet String Quartet No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 131 Juilliard String Quartet Fidelio, Op. 72 A spectacular production greeted by thunderous applause and loud cries of "bravo", directed by Pierluigi Pier'Alli and featuring an all-star cast:Waltraud Meier and Peter Seiffert, two of today's most distinguished German singers. Carsten Stabell, Waltraud Meier & Peter Seiffert Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana, Lorin Maazel Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58 Recorded live at the prestigious Klavier-Festival Ruhr in May 2007, this DVD recording reflects both a very individual and special reading of Beethoven's music and the artist's life-long dedication to the composer. Barenboim conducts and plays at the same time.This DVD brings together two musical masterminds. Daniel Barenboim (piano & conductor) Staatskapelle Berlin Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 73 'Emperor' Daniel Barenboim (piano & conductor) Staatskapelle Berlin |
Discover in this Christmas box 4 pieces by the best Romantic composer ever, interpreted and conducted by the greatest artists of today: Lorin Maazel, Daniel Baremboim, René Pape,Waltraud Meier… NTSC · 16:9 (DVD2: NTSC · 4:3) PCM Stereo · DD 5.1 · DTS 5.1 Region Code: 0 Booklet Notes: GB, D, F Subtitles: GB, D, F, E Running Time: 437 mins FSK: all audiences | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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The 2008 reprise of the evergreen Otto Schenk staging with an overwhelming cast, perfect for all Wagner traditionalists. Conductor Christian Thielemann deserves a great deal of the credit for fashioning a multi-faceted drama that is anything but black-and-white in its musical depiction of the characters. Since his Bayreuth Festival debut in 2000,Thielemann has established himself as one of the world's leading Wagner conductors. Among the vocal surprises of this live recording is Adrian Eröd as Beckmesser. Eröd is on a par with the great Wagner baritone Falk Struckmann as Hans Sachs, who injects earthy humour into his role while building a tender rapport with Ricarda Merbeth's Eva.As Walther von Stolzing, Johan Botha is pure tenor gold. NTSC · 16:9, PCM Stereo· DD 5.1· DTS 5.1 Region Code: 0 Booklet Notes: English, German, French Languages: German Subtitles: English, German, French Running Time: 273 mins FSK: all audiences “This is perhaps the finest recording, either on DVD or CD, of Wagner's complex masterpiece… Christian Thielemann… keeps the whole piece, very close to five hours, moving irresistibly, and he has the Vienna Philharmonic playing magnificently, untiringly, and a superb cast. This one has the noblest contemporary Sachs, Falk Struckmann, in top form, and Johan Botha, a man-mountain, as an exceptionally sensitive Walther, and an expressive actor despite his bulk. The Pogner of Ain Auger is phenomenally fine, and Adrian Eröd's Beckmesser is outstanding. Otto Schenk's production is as traditional without a trace of routine. Sticking mainly very closely to Wagner's stage directions - a revolutionary stroke - and well photographed, it illuminates point after point in the action.” BBC Music Magazine, January 2010 **** | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Gala Concert: 300 Years of St. Petersburg
This festive gala concert was held to mark the city's 300th anniversary, bringing together some of the greatest Russian artists: young soprano Anna Netrebko, baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky, such great instrumentalists as cellist Mischa Maisky and violinist Viktor Tretyakov. World-famous St Petersburg Philharmonic under Yuri Temirkanov in repertoire of fascinating variety. Available for the first time on Blu-ray Disc. NTSC · 16:9, PCM 2.0 · PCM 5.1 Region Code:All Booklet Notes: English, German, French Languages: Spanish, Italian, Russian Subtitles: English, German, French, Spanish, Italian Running Time: 112 mins Audiences: all | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Glenn Gould - HereafterA film by Bruno Monsaingeon
Combining his remarkable talents as a pianist, essayist, radio producer and director of radio documentaries, Glenn Gould shocked audiences with his performances, and took the world by surprise when he withdrew from the public stage at the age of 32. He had ceaselessly stimulated musical minds with his experiments in recording and sound.Today, 20 years after his death, Glenn Gould remains one of the most unique and celebrated figures in the world of classical music. Hereafter is a retrospective of the life and work of Gould, seen from today's point of view. The film captures the essence of Gould's genius such as it is perceived by his audience, an audience that extends far beyond the strict notion of a musical audience. Furthermore, based on a synthesis of all the documents existing on Gould, whether of a musical (sound and audio-visual) or of a literary and intellectual nature, this film strives to deal with the question of Gould's genius as a whole. Discover this wonderful film on Blu-ray Disc for the first time! 1080i Full HD · 16:9, DVD: PCM 2.0, PCM 5.0 Region code:All Original languages: English, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Russian Subtitles: English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Japanese Booklet: English, French Running time: 106 mins Audiences: all “Monsaingeon has unearthed a great deal of footage of the young Gould playing the piano and talking about musical generally” BBC Music Magazine, October 2006 **** “Glenn Gould's cult status makes it hard for the would-be objective critic, compelled to fight his way through a tangled thicket of hero-worship and self-conscious idiosyncrasy. Gould's early retirement from concert-giving and his decision to devote himself exclusively to recording is castigated by Menuhin, for whom the live concert is sacred. For Gould a mosaic of takes, often extending over many years, was a musical ideal... there are valuable previously unavailable examples of Gould's playing, with dazzling flights through Chopin (the second Etude), Weber and Hindemith…” Gramophone Magazine, November 2006 | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Martha Argerich - Verbier 2007-2008
Bach, J S: | Partita No. 2 in C minor, BWV826 Martha Argerich (piano) | Bartók: | Violin Sonata in E minor, BB28 Martha Argerich (piano) & Renaud Capuçon (violin) | Grieg: | Cello Sonata in A minor, Op. 36 Martha Argerich (piano) & Mischa Maisky (cello) | Lutoslawski: | Variations on a Theme by Paganini, for two pianos Martha Argerich & Gabriela Montero (pianos) | Mozart: | Andante and Variations in G for Piano Duet, K501 Martha Argerich & Stephen Kovacevich (piano) | Shostakovich: | Piano Quintet in G minor, Op. 57 Martha Argerich (piano), Joshua Bell (violin), Henning Kraggerud (violin), Yuri Bashmet (viola) & Mischa Maisky (cello) |
A collection of the most wonderful performances given at the Verbier Festival (2007 and 2008) by the legendary pianist Martha Argerich, featuring some of the most talented musicians of today. Martha Argerich proves once again her great pianistic technique in a wave of virtuosity, performing emblematic works of the greatest composers ever. Moreover, she is accompanied by the best and most renowned cellists, pianists and violinists one can imagine: Stephen Kovacevich, Mischa Maisky, Renaud Capuçon… NTSC · 16:9, PCM Stereo Region Code: 0 Booklet notes: English Running time: 125 mins FSK: all audiences “…Argerich's matriarchal presence casts a benign glow over the proceedings, and her keyboard wizardry remains as abundant and remarkable as ever.” BBC Music Magazine, Christmas 2009 **** | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Sir Simon Rattle conducts Beethoven, Bruch & Stravinsky
Each year, the Berliner Philharmoniker celebrates the anniversary of its creation (May 1st, 1882) with an unforgettable concert taking place in a different big European city each time. In 2008, the ‘Europa Konzert’, was held in the Tchaikovsky Academy of Moscow, a holy place for music. The BPO is considered the best orchestra in the world, and it is conducted by the renowned Sir Simon Rattle. Vadim Repin, Prince of the violin - as many people call him - has been compared to Oistrakh. Bruch's is one of the most famous and best-loved of all violin concertos; the Symphony in Three Movements of Stravinsky highlights the virtuosity and the expertise of the Berlin Phil, whilst Beethoven's 7th Symphony shows the incomparable tone pallet of this orchestral limousine. "The musicians are very articulate, they are very open, they are very curious. They always want to know why we are doing something. They don't just do it - they are not an obedient orchestra in that way, but they are a very creative orchestra." Sir Simon Rattle NTSC 16:9 PCM Stereo, DD 5.1, DTS 5.1 Booklet notes: English, German, French Running time: 92 minutes “Fans of Vadim Repin's superlative playing will not be disappointed by his typically commanding account of the Bruch Concerto… the Beethoven Symphony has numerous special moments, such as the increasingly hushed strings as the Adagietto theme unfolds. ...the highlight is Stravinsky's Symphony in Three Movements. The slow movement is charmingly laid back, and the outer movements have Rattle's characteristic drive allied to the orchestra's finesse.” BBC Music Magazine, December 2009 “The piano in the Symphony in Three Movements takes the part of a sardonic commentator, sometimes an aggressor, and the dominance of the tonic in the Beethoven has seldom been subjected to such relentless threat. Yet devotees to the wit of his earlier recording with the CBSO may like to note the new balletic delicacy of Rattle's approach to the slow movement of the Stravinsky, perhaps inspired by his recent experiences of conducting The Nutcracker.” Gramophone Magazine, December 2009 | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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