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Live Recording from The Felsenreitschule, Salzburg Festival, 2012

The Salzburg Festival presented a unique production in 2012: the renowned Hagen Quartett appeared together with the Zürcher Ballett. The Swiss grand master of dance Heinz Spoerli created three works for his Zurich Ballet set to three of the greatest works of the string-quartet literature: Leos Janáček’s string quartet “Intimate Letters”, Antonín Dvořák’s “American Quartet” and Franz Schubert’s string quartet “Death and the Maiden”.

Based in Salzburg, the Hagen Quartett is highly popular with the public for its high standard of musicality, serious artistic approach and its enthusiastic love of playing. The Hagens do not give themselves airs and graces; instead, an almost tender dedication to the composers is characteristic of their work. This is a triumph on home ground for this renowned ensemble.

Sound Format: PCM Stereo, DD 5.1

Picture Format: 16:9, 1080i FULL HD

Format: DVD 9 / NTSC

Running Time: 94 mins

FSK: 0

Region Code: 0

Worldwide available

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)

Worldwide available

Sir Peter Hall’s outstanding 1979 Glyndebourne Festival Opera production of Fidelio remains remarkably faithful to the way Beethoven intended the opera to be. The stage directions of the original version – completed in 1814 after two revisions – are followed exactly by Sir Peter Hall. Yet he still manages to inject fresh excitement and suspense into Fidelio with John Bury’s original lighting and design providing a perfect framework for the drama and conflicts that centre on political intrigue and repression.

The London Philharmonic Orchestra is conducted by Bernard Haitink.

Don Florestan has been falsely imprisoned for threatening to expose the evils of governor Don Pizarro. While he starves to death with other political prisoners his wife, Leonore tries to find him. She disguises herself as the young man, Fidelio, and wins the confidence of the gaoler, Rocco and his daughter Marzelline.

Elisabeth Söderström portrays the courageous Leonore in such a riveting and outstanding performance that alone is worth the whole show. Elizabeth Gale as Marzelline and Curt Appelgren as Rocco bring this unique production to perfection.

Sound Format: PCM Stereo

Picture Format: 4:3

DVD Format: DVD 9 / NTSC

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

Running Time: 128 mins

FSK: 0

This epic opera inspired by William Shakespeare’s tragic masterpiece was written in 1847, but did not receive its British premiere until 1938, when it was presented for the first time at Glyndebourne. Stage Director Michael Hadjimischev and Conductor John Pritchard made this production a breathtaking experience.

The tragedy is a penetrating, concentrated and harrowing study of the ambition of Macbeth and his wife, Lady Macbeth. In the end both seem to verge on hallucination and madness as they recoil from the mayhem they have created around them.

The production features an outstanding international cast, with the Greek baritone Kostas Paskalis in the title role and British star Josephine Barstow making an exciting Glyndebourne debut as Lady Macbeth. The designer, Emanuele Luzzati, has created a series of stunning visual impressions, including the chilling witches’ chorus, the sumptuous banquet at which Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo and Lady Macbeth’s heart-rending sleepwalking scene.

Sound Format: PCM Stereo

Picture Format: 4:3

DVD Format: DVD 9 / NTSC

Original Language: IT

Subtitle Languages: GB, DE, FR, ES

Running Time: 146 mins

FSK: 0

Sound Format: PCM Stereo (Don Giovanni) / + DD 5.0 & DTS 5.0 (Werther) / + DD 5.1 & DTS 5.1 (Simon Boccanegra)

Picture Format: 16:9

DVD Format: 3 x DVD 9 / NTSC

Subtitles: GB, DE, FR, ES, IT

Running Time: 442 mins + 12 mins

Bonus (Werther)

FSK: 0

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, dts-HD Master Audio 5.0

Picture Format: 16:9, 1080i FULL HD

Format: 25 GB (Single Layer)

Running Time: 96 mins

FSK: 0

Region Code: Worldwide

Worldwide available

For its 100th anniversary the Deutsche Oper Berlin is featured in a special edition of live recordings that were produced since the beginnings of television broadcasts from the opera house. Following the fi rst DVD collection with recordings from the 1960s, this special edition box contains operas from the 1970s and 1980s – treasures in colour featuring great opera singers, stage directors and contemporary composers.

Sound Format: PCM Mono (Preußisches Märchen, Montezuma)

PCM Stereo (Die tote Stadt, Die Gespenstersonate, Oedipus)

Picture Format: 4:3

DVD Format: 5 x DVD 9 / NTSC

Original Language: DE

Subtitle Languages: IT, GB, DE, FR, ES

Running Time: 558 mins + 8 mins (Bonus)

FSK: 6

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.

Picture Format: 16:9, 1080i FULL HD

Running Time: 90 mins

Blu-ray Disc: 25 GB (Single Layer)

FSK: 0

Region Code: Worldwide

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

When it comes to shaping a musical event for the ears and the eyes, the monumental majesty of Anton Bruckner’s (1824–1896) symphonies and the exhilarating vibrancy of St. Florian’s monastery in Austria are a perfect match – especially when they are captured on film so thrillingly by such an eminent director as Brian Large.

The Fourth Symphony marks a major milestone in Bruckner’s attempt to establish a symphonic design suitable to sustain his innovative musical thought. Not surprisingly, the score was subjected to extensive revisions. The Fourth, in fact, represents the most convoluted revision history of all his symphonies – and this for a composer for whom variant editions of a work, often involving substantial changes, became the norm. The result is that the identification of the “authentic” final score that should be performed is a matter of ongoing debate for many of his symphonies – in particular the Fourth.

Franz Welser-Möst, the Music Director of The Cleveland Orchestra and General Music Director of the Vienna State Opera, is an acknowledged Bruckner specialist who has developed a passion for the composer’s Fourth Symphony – called the “Romantic” by its creator – in its infrequently played first edition (1888/89).

The Cleveland Orchestra, called the most European of America’s prestige formations, has been setting new standards in Bruckner interpretation for several years now through the “expertise” of Franz Welser-Möst, who “elicits a grandiose interpretation from his technically unsurpassable ensemble … It was an excellent concert … as anticipated.” (Austria’s leading daily, Die Presse).

Sound Format: PCM Stereo, DD 5.0

Picture Format: 16:9

Format: DVD 9 / NTSC

Running Time: 74 mins

FSK: 0