The 2010 New Year’s Eve concert, from Berlin, featured two very prominent stars: Elina Garanca, mezzo soprano, and conductor Gustavo Dudamel.

Recorded live, this gala performance presents a selection of arias and orchestral works that include excerpts from one of Ms. Garanca’s most celebrated roles, Bizet’s Carmen, and Marguerite in Berlioz’s Damnation of Faust.

As well as providing world – class accompaniment, the Berlin Philharmonic makes an excellent contribution to the program with the overture to Berlioz’s thrilling “Roman Carnival” and excerpts from Manuel de Falla’s ballet, “The Three-Cornered Hat”.

The track list follows:

Berlioz:

• Le carnaval romain Overture, Op. 9

• D’amour l’ardente flamme (from La damnation de Faust)

Elina Garanca (mezzo soprano)
Bizet:

• Carmen: Prelude to Act I

• L’amour est un oiseau rebelle ‘Habanera’ (from Carmen)

Elina Garanca (mezzo soprano)

• Carmen: Entr’acte to Act III (Intermezzo)

• Près des remparts de Séville (Séguedille) (from Carmen)

Elina Garanca (mezzo soprano)

• Carmen: Entr’acte to Act IV (Aragonaise)

• Les tringles des sistres tintaient (from Carmen)

Elina Garanca (mezzo soprano)
Chapí:

• Al pensar en el dueno (from Las Hijas del Zebedeo)

Elina Garanca (mezzo soprano)
Falla:

• Three dances from El Sombrero de Tres Picos

• Danse Espagnole (from La Vida Breve)

Lara, Augustin:

• Granada

Elina Garanca (mezzo soprano)
Saint-Saëns:

• Bacchanale from Samson et Dalila

• Mon cœur s’ouvre à ta voix (from Samson et Dalila)

Elina Garanca (mezzo soprano)

Performed by the Berliner Philharmoniker, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel

Here is Bizet: Carmen, “L’amour est un oiseau rebelle” performed by Elīna Garanča and Gustavo Dudamel

Tags: New Year’s Eve Concert Gala 2010, Dudamel, Garanca, Berlin Philharmonic

This is a live recording of Symphonies 4 &and 5 from the 26th BBC Prom at Royal Albert Hall, London, August 5, 2010

Mahler:

• Symphony No. 4 in G major

Camilla Tilling (soprano)

• Symphony No. 5 in C sharp minor

Performed by the World Orchestra for Peace, conducted by Valery Gergiev
This DVD includes a fascinating 23 – minute Documentary about the orchestra founded by Sir Georg Solti.

2011 was the 100th anniversary of the death of Gustav Mahler.

Under the baton of renowned conductor Valery Gergiev, the orchestra “gave exemplary performances”, as The Independent put it. Only performing on rare occasions, the World Orchestra for Peace is an ensemble of select players plucked from the world’s best orchestras.

Gergiev’s performance of Mahler’s Fourth symphony is not only full of underlying musical tensions, but also highly melodic, dynamic and with deep awareness of every detail. Camilla Tilling’s radiant soprano and her intonation are perfect in the Finale.

Gergiev is one of the most thoughtful, charismatic and humble among the truly great conductors of today. The World Orchestra for Peace (WOP), composed of volunteer principals and prominent players from all over the world, is a terrific ensemble, and these two BBC Prom concerts are captured in brilliant video and audio.

Gergiev plays the Mahler Fifth with an amazing Finale played quite a bit faster than usual, and he brings the house down at this Proms concert at the Albert Hall.

Here are two Press comments:

“But the further this genially sunlit work progressed, the more it came together, and soprano Camilla Tilling’s paean to the joys of Mahler’s (very strange) child’s-eye view of heaven made a gloriously serene climax.” ………The Independent

“The bucolic Symphony No. 4 was genial and fairly rapt in the finale, where Camilla Tilling was the expressive soprano soloist.” ………………….Financial Times

Here is the Mahler Symphony No.5, 1st movement, performed by the World Orchestra for Peace – Valery Gergiev Proms 2010

And here is Gergiev again with the 4th movement of the 5th symphony:

Tags: Gustav Mahler, Symphony #4, Symphony #5, Gergiev, Proms concerts, London, 2010

Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande

Soprano Natalie Dessay explores the emotional and vocal world of Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande with an excellent cast of fellow singers (Sung in French)

Performed by: Natalie Dessay, Stéphane Degout, Laurent Naouri, Philip Ens, Marie-Nicole Lemieux, Tim Mirfin and Beate Ritter, with the Radio-SymphonieOrchester Wien, and the Arnold Schoenberg Choir, directed by Bertrand De Billy

For this production, premiered in January 2009 at Vienna’s “Theater an der Wien”, Dessay’s French and French-Canadian colleagues included stage director Laurent Pelly — celebrated for riotous comedy (notably La fille de regiment with Dessay, also a Virgin Classics DVD)

Natalie Dessay has made her reputation with the amazing heroines of Romantic French and Italian opera, but in this new DVD from Vienna she portrays a heroine who presents few opportunities for vocal display, but many for subtle characterization – Debussy’s Mélisande.

Here are some press notes:

Opera News reported: “…The magnificent Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien, under Bertrand de Billy, dominated the proceedings with a rapturous performance. “

Vienna’s “Wiener Zeitung” praised Laurent Pelly for bringing “a psychological dimension to the symbolically charged language. At his disposal was an ensemble of singers capable of the most refined interpretation, above all Natalie Dessay … who portrayed her character with the most delicate nuances and verbal flexibility, encompassing both vocal radiance and broken utterance …”

Here is a Video trailer of the opera

Here is a completely different Natalie Dessay in “Glitter and be gay” from Bernstein’s “Candide”

Tags: Natalie Dessay, Debussy, Pelléas et Mélisande

Yep… I am a huge fan of Joyce Di Donato. I feel that her voice quality is terrific, and she’s am amazing actress who enhances all her roles by adding further dimensions to her singing.

This performance is about the two leading roles, Juan Diego and DiDonato. They are charismatic stylish singers who never fail to deliver. The listener is treated to some of the best Rossini singing in years. When they are on stage there is an “event” that is unmatched. Clearly this is a five – star performance.

While there are, for me, always issues with staging, lighting, and cinematography, when it comes to the music by the two principal roles this is great!

Here are Joyce DiDonato and Juan Diego Flórez in the act I duet from “La Cenerentola”

And here’s an earlier video: Joyce DiDonato sings La Cenerentola – Barcelona 2007 – 2008

Tags: Joyce DiDonato, La Cenerentola, Rossini

Think about this: In Mahler’s day, the Vienna Philharmonic players mostly hated Mahler’s music. They insulted the music in every which way. Even during Bernstein’s many rehearsals and performances with this group, he occasionally became frustrated with the players. “This is *your* music”, he would say. This is music written about Nature in *your* country. Yet you are totally missing the performance character required by this music. In the end, they learned, and we have a glorious record of Mr. Bernstein’s successes.

Track listing:

1   Symphony No.1: 1. Langsam. Schleppend 15’33
2   Symphony No.2: 4. Urlicht (Baker/LSO) 7’18
3   Symphony No.3: 5. Lustig im Tempo 4’12
4   Symphony No.4: 2. In gemächlicher Bewegung 10’14
5   Symphony No.5: 4. Adagietto 12’10
6   Symphony No.6: 2. Scherzo. Wuchtig 13’06
7   Symphony No.7: 4. Nachtmusik II 14’44
8   Symphony No.8: 1. Hymnus “Veni, creator spiritus” 24’18
9   Symphony No.9: 4. Adagio 26’09

Performed by Leonard Bernstein, conducting the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

As part of the 2010 Mahler anniversary celebrations, rather than produce a simple CD compilation of Mahler extracts, Deutsche Grammophon thought: why not offer a 120-minute single DVD that includes SINGLE movements from each of Symphonies nos. 1 to 9. The DVD starts with the first movement of no. 1 and ends with the last movement of the Mahler Symphony #9.

While the purists may object to this seeming musical “sin”, the recording allows us to study these movements in great detail, and to be awed by Bernstein’s capabilities and love of this music.

Here is Bernstein in all his glory, coaxing performances of rare passion and sensibility from the Wiener Philharmoniker (there is one track with the London Symphony Orchestra, with Janet Baker as the soloist in Urlicht).

Here is the Mahler first symphony:

And here is a section of Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 in C-sharp minor: second movement, “Stürmisch bewegt. Mit größter Vehemenz”

Tags: Gustav Mahler, Bernstein, Vienna Philharmonic

• Live Recording from The Philharmonie in Essen, Germany, 2010

Chopin:

• Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21

• Daniel Barenboim (piano)

• Staatskapelle Berlin; Andris Nelsons, conductor

• Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11

• Daniel Barenboim (piano)

• Staatskapelle Berlin; Andris Nelsons, conductor

• Waltz No. 3 in A minor ‘Grande Valse Brillante’, Op. 34 No. 2

• Daniel Barenboim (piano)

• Haydn:

• Symphony No. 44 in E minor ‘Mourning’

• Staatskapelle Berlin; Andris Nelsons, conductor

CD Release date: 30th Aug. 2011

For the 200th anniversary of the birth of Frédéric Chopin, the Ruhr Piano Festival in Essen, Germany, invited the Staatskapelle Berlin to give a special concert: A performance of Chopin‘s two piano concertos in one concert. For this purpose Daniel Barenboim, the orchestra‘s principal conductor, handed the reins of this ensemble to conductor Andris Nelsons, and Mr. Barenboim assumed the role of piano soloist instead.

Frederic Chopin wrote the two piano concertos when he was only 19 and 20; they were among the last works that he composed in Poland before leaving for France. Filled with youthful fire and freshness, the works showcase the pianist‘s virtuosity, and contain much of interest for the orchestral musicians as well, including poignant solo interludes for clarinet and bassoon.

The press commented as follows:

“Storms of applause for a dream couple: Daniel Barenboim and Andris Nelsons won over the audience … with their rousing Chopin interpretations“.

Here are some extracts from this DVD:

And here you have Frédéric Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor with Daniel Barenboim, piano, and Asher Fisch, conducting the Berliner Philharmoniker, recorded at the Berlin Philharmonie, 4 October 2009:

And finally, here is Daniel Barenboim performing the Nocturne #2 by F. Chopin:

Tags: Daniel Barenboim, Frédéric Chopin, concertos 1 and 2

Mahler:

• Symphony No. 1 in D major ‘Titan’

Disc 1:
1. Documentary Episode One – “Gustav Mahler: Origins”
2. Concert Program One – Mahler Symphony No. 1

Disc 2:
1. Documentary Episode Two – “Gustav Mahler: Legacy”
2. Concert Program Two – A Mahler Journey

Performed by the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas

This excellent DVD explores the life and works of Gustav Mahler, in two documentaries and two live performances.
I am a strong admirer of Mr. Thomas’ interpretations of the works of Mahler. This recording shows that he has studied the life of the composer, and he knows a huge amount of details about the composer’s roots, family situation, his marriage and overall background.

Michael Tilson Thomas travels to the provincial Austro-Hungarian city of Kaliste, where Mahler was born. The viewer learns of Mahler’s time as a young conductor, his appointments as a conductor in Vienna and New York, his turbulent marriage to Alma Schindler, and the sudden, tragic death of his daughter. All of this becomes the video: “Keeping Score: Mahler”

This two-disc set includes the documentary accompanied by a second disc with concert performances by the San Francisco Symphony including the entire Mahler first symphony, as well as selected movements of other works.

Michael Tilson Thomas says: “In his compositions he made reference to many styles, building his huge symphonies from materials abstracted from songs, dances and marches from many cultures. His symphonies, or worlds, as he called them, represent the many ways that people make music and why they make music. In “Keeping Score: Mahler”, we walk in his footsteps, visit the places and sounds that influenced his life.”

And here is what BBC Music Magazine, wrote in May 2011:

“As in previous issues, the wealth of solidly researched detail is musically provocative and visually stimulating…Tilson Thomas presents Mahler as embracing both [Jewish and Christian roots] as part of a universal musical and moral outlook…overall, Tilson Thomas and his associates bring Mahler’s music to life in a way that makes even the novice appreciate its astounding unity within diversity.”

Here is the background for this DVD, as explained by Mr. Thomas:

Here is the music form the Mahler first symphony: Michael Tilson Thomas conducts the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra:

Tags: “Keeping Score: Mahler”, Michael Tilson Thomas, San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

A major event at the Metropolitan Opera during the 2010/2011 season was Donizetti’s comic opera, Don Pasquale, with Anna Netrebko reviving the role of Norina. In that role, Anna Netrebko manages to make a character who usually comes across as shrewish into a funny, endearing character. Most of all, she conveys a sense of fun into her role, whether it’s chasing Malatesta with a frying pan or doing a somersault of joy.

John Del Carlo’s impressive singing and acting as the Don are given every boost by Otto Schenk’s hilarious staging and James Levine’s wonderful conducting. Leading this opera for the first time at the Met, the renowned maestro demonstrates that his gifts suit Donizetti as perfectly as it is in Mozart’s operas. Mariusz Kwiecień and Matthew Polenzani entertain as Malatesta and Ernesto.

It’s a wonder that Don Pasquale isn’t performed more often, because it’s one of those operas that tends to bring out the best in singers, directors, conductors, even the costume makers. This wonderful ensemble opera is short but sweet, with one beautiful/funny/ironic/romantic tune after another.

Filmed in November 2010, this DVD also features backstage intermission interviews caught during the excitement of a live performance.

Here is Anna Netrebko in Don Pasquale at the Met Opera:

And here is the Donizetti “Don Pasquale” Duet with Anna Netrebko & Mariusz Kwiecien:

If you would like to purchase this recording at Amazon, please click on the image below to complete your purchase:

Tags: Don Pasquale, Anna Netrebko, John Del Carlo, DVD

• A Film by Eric Schulz

With Plácido Domingo, Brigitte Fassbaender, Otto Schenk, Veronika Kleiber, Michael Gielen & Manfred Honeck…

It is my own view that Carlos Kleiber had music in his DNA, and that the set of compositions that he performed were personally very meaningful to him. He conducted 60 operas. He also loved the music of Johann Strauss Jr, and also the operas of Richard Strauss.

Carlos Kleiber was an astoundingly capable conductor. In addition, he made extraordinary efforts to verbally communicate how he wanted the music performed. Frequently these communications could be frustrating to orchestra players. But in the end… the results were magical. And if one watches carefully, you can see that smile on his face, when he was satisfied. Like no other conductor, he insisted on having the orchestra players listen to the one instrumental section, or the one Oboe player to whom the composer handed the melody. That made Kleiber’s music sublime!

Kleiber’s relationship with his father, who was also a well-known conductor, was complicated. It is said that the father on occasion introduced his young son by saying: “This is my son, Carlos, he has no musical talent whatsoever…” Perhaps that’s why ultimately Carlos chose to become a conductor, so he could prove to the old man how wrong he was!

On the 11th July 2004, when he was 74, Carlos Kleiber got into his car and drove from Munich to his holiday home in the remote Slovenian village of Konjsica. There he wrote a final letter to a friend in which he bid farewell to the world. A short time later the conductor, increasingly plagued by illness and suffering, was found dead. His wife had died earlier, and my sense is that he simply did not want to go on…

This documentary “Traces to Nowhere” represents the first film dedicated to the enigmatic personality of the conductor. The film follows in the traces of Kleiber’s final journey and, by means of the recollections of friends and other companions – including the first and only interview with his sister Veronika – portrays a man as renowned for his difficult personality as his brilliant work.

“What he left us is that tremendous emptiness of losing a friend, and a genius.”

…………………………………Plácido Domingo

“Kleiber was a living legend. His incredible reputation preceded him wherever he went.”
…………………………………Otto Schenk

Here is a video with some examples of Kleiber’s rehearsal techniques:

And here is Carlos Kleiber in Johann Strauss II “Die Fledermaus” overture: Notice the terrific rhythms and dance-like quality of this performance: It take you directly to a Viennese Ball!

Tags: Carlos Kleiber, Traces to Nowhere, film by Eric Schulz

Evgeny Kissin is not longer viewed as a “Wunderkind” (German for ‘Child Wonder’). He is now about 39 years old, and he continues to provide his magical sound to millions of admiring listeners. This DVD goes way back to the time when Kissin was 19 year old. Without exaggeration, even way back then the performance by Evgeny Kissin was a truly special one.

Selections on this DVD are:

Bach, J S:

• Siciliano from Flute Sonata No. 2 BWV1031

Brahms:

• Fantasies (7 piano pieces), Op. 116

Gluck:

• Orfeo ed Euridice (Orphée et Euridice): Dance of the Blessed Spirits

Liszt:

• Auf dem Wasser zu singen, S558 No. 2 (from Schubert D774)

• Der Müller und der Bach (No. 2 from Müllerlieder von Franz Schubert, S565)

• Ständchen – Horch, horch! die Lerch (No. 9 from Zwölf Lieder von Franz Schubert, S558)

• Gretchen am Spinnrade, S558 No. 8 (after Schubert D118)

• Erlkönig, S558 No. 4 (after Schubert D328)

• Hungarian Rhapsody, S244 No. 12 in C sharp minor

Schubert:

• Fantasie in C major, D760 ‘Wanderer’

The playing of these selections is so refreshingly innocent, so tender, clear, technically perfect, and always with beautiful singing lines. I believe no one else can play these selections better than Kissin at any age. The video of this DVD is superb, perfectly catching Kissin’s unique playing style and his youthful expressions; and the audio recording is excellent, as well.

It is hard to find adequate words to express my reaction to Mr. Kissin’s performance on this DVD. Young as he is, the degree of drama, poetry, and emotion which pours out of him is absolutely amazing. The Brahms, and especially the Schubert, are terrific.

Here is a video of the Rachmaninov C minor concerto, with Evgeny Kissin, accompanied by Sir Andrew Davis conducting the BBC Symphony Orchestra:

And here is Evgeny Kissin in the RACHMANINOV Prelude in B Flat:

Tags: Evgeny Kissin, pianist age 19, Brahms, Liszt, Schubert, concert

Christa Ludwig is acknowledged as one of the twentieth century’s most complete vocal artists. She debuted in 1946 as Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus at the Frankfurt State Opera and starred at the Vienna State Opera from her debut as Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro in 1955 until her retirement from singing in 1994. Her professional singing career spanned five decades and, as a star of the international operatic stage, she starred in the soprano, mezzo and coloratura mezzo repertoire.

Ms. Ludwig also established her reputation as a fine lieder singer. The intimate auditorium of the Volkstheater in Vienna was packed with a discerning and enthusiastic audience when Christa Ludwig gave a master class there.

As a bonus on this CD, we see Ms. Ludwig conduct a master class. 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 finding success as professionals on the operatic stage. With her guidance, their characterizations are seen to take on a new depth in just a short space of time. The master class focuses on Mozart and concludes with a performance extract featuring the young Christa Ludwig as Dorabella in Così fan Tutte in 1970.

We hear the following on this CD:

• Schubert – Winterreise D. 911

• A Master Class with Christa Ludwig, Part I

Christa Ludwig, mezzo soprano with Charles Spencer, piano

The performance was recorded in 1994 when Ludwig was sixty-six years old. The richness of her voice is perhaps just slightly reduced by age, but the artistry that comes from almost fifty years of performing more than makes up for this. Indeed, this is a wonderfully artistic performance.

So, this is a DVD for lovers of Schubert, admirers of the legendary Christa Ludwig, and for those who wish to see a Ludwig master class.

Here is Christa Ludwig:

Tags: Christa Ludwig, Schubert, Master class

Lucerne Festival Orchestra, conducted by Claudio Abbado

I am hearing more and more great music performed by the Lucerne Festival Orchestra, and I think they are terrific!

On this DVD, Claudio Abbado and his hand-picked players of the Lucerne Festival Orchestra take their acclaimed Mahler cycle to a new level with this performance of the most serious and compelling of the symphonies, the intense, emotional, tragic Ninth.

Mr. Abbado brings all his musical experience to this fine performance. The performance is from the summer of 2010, and it is a simply a sensational interpretation.

Here are some Press comments:
“The listener is rendered speechless at the thrilling depth and perfection of the symbiosis achieved here between artistic wisdom and undimmed joy in making music at the highest level.”
…………Christian Wildhagen, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, August 24, 1010

“…sensitizing feelings, penetrating into the depths of perception like a kind of perfectly-tuned ear on the world, to yield the most beautiful results in the music.”
………………..Claus Spahn, ZEIT Online. Musik, August 12, 2010

Here is a 4-minute trailer of this DVD:

Tags: Mahler Symphony #9, Abbado, Lucerne Symphony Orchestra

This is an fascinating DVD, if one thinks about these two musical personalities: Karajan, born in Salzburg, Austria to a family that had a “title”, the “von” in his name which clearly goes with an aristocratic family. Menuhin was born in New York City to parents who were intensely Zionist. The boy’s mother wanted to assure that everyone would know that he is Jewish, so she named her son “Yehudi”, which is Hebrew for “Jew”.

From a lot of recorded interviews and other sources, I got the sense that Menuhin was a person with a lot of personal charm. He explored diversity, connected with Asian music makers, was eager to learn and to teach, explored Eastern religions, and more. While I may well be biased, I have always found Karajan to be an amazing musician, yet personally aloof, taken with his own importance, and self-absorbed. In this DVD, you have these two personalities talking together and making music together.

On this DVD Herbert von Karajan conducts the Vienna Symphony with Yehudi Menuhin and the Berlin Philharmonic in works by Mozart and Dvorak. The performances include Antonin Dvorak’s “Symphony No. 9 in E Minor”, and Mozart’s “Concerto for Violin and Orchestra No. 5″. This footage is Menuhin and Karajan’s only recorded performance together. Also included is rehearsal footage of Karajan.

I did not like the Mozart violin concerto performance; I found it to be stiff, lacking in charm and in the lightness that Mozart intended. It came across as overly “Symphonic”. Still, this is a historic recording for the reasons mentioned above.

Mozart’s Fifth Violin Concerto was recorded in January 1966 at the Rosenhügel hall in Vienna with the Wiener Symphoniker and soloist Yehudi Menuhin; the film is introduced by an English-language interview that is nearly as long as the concerto. Menuhin is seen as he flatters Karajan, who never takes the bait but always brings the conversation back to practical music matters, and speaks excellent English with a bit of an accent. The concert is elaborately staged on a set oozing with chandeliers and distracting elegance…

Sections of this DVD are as follows:
• HERBERT VON KARAJAN
In Rehearsal and Performance

• Yehudi Menuhin, violin
Vienna Symphony Orchestra
Herbert von Karajan, conductor

• Antonín Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95, “From the New World”
(Rehearsal and Performance)

It is not clear to me why the Mozart seems to be played in a key that is *different* from the one prescribed by the composer.

Here is a video of the Concerto for violin and orchestra No.5 in A major K219

Tags: Karajan, Menuhin, Mozart, Dvorak

Gustav Mahler was born in Kalist, Bohemia on the 7th of July 1860. This DVD offers the listener an opportunity to celebrate (a bit late) the 150th anniversary of Mahler’s birth, and also the celebration of one of the great conductors who brought Mahler’s music to the attention of the public, namely Leonard Bernstein. What’s also amazing is that it was Bernstein who worked tirelessly with members of the Vienna Philharmonic orchestra many years ago, to show them and explain to them the style which must be used to perform Mahler’s music. For Mahler frequently seeks to express the ironic, the complex, the sad, and the tragic aspects of life through his compositions.

What is also somewhat unusual about this DVD is that it presents just one movement from each of nine Mahler symphonies. Yes… many of my readers may undoubtedly find this somewhat offensive. However, if you see it as a compendium of the most sublime parts of many of Mahler’s works, it may well have a part in collectors libraries. As an example, the Adagietto movement of Mahler’s 5th is so well known for its sadness, its tenderness and its amazing beauty. As such, you may want to explore how Bernstein interpreted this movement.

Leonard Bernstein, as Mahler had done before him, strives to understand every composer’s intent, and he seems to want the orchestra and the audience to share in his personal celebration of the beauty and intricacies of the music.

All of the performances on this DVD are of Bernstein conducting the Vienna Philharmonic, except for the Symphony 2, which is with the London Symphony Orchestra.

Watch Bernstein as he performs this music: in the first movement of Symphony #1 you can’t miss to watch his joy in the music. And in the movement IV of the Seventh Symphony, Nachtmusik II, Andante amoroso, we see and hear the delightful and rare appearance of guitar and mandolin in a symphonic piece–and Bernstein makes sure that we can hear them!

Here is Bernstein in the Mahler Symphony No. 5 in C-sharp minor: Part III: Movement 4, “Adagietto ”

Roland Berger, Horn,Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

If you’d like to purchase this DVD at Amazon, please click on the image below to complete your purchase:

Tags: Gustav Mahler, Leonard Bernstein, Adagietto

This recording of Strauss’ Rosenkavalier is a nearly perfect combination of music, singers, staging, and conducting. It examines the whole spectrum of love from every perspective: youthful idealism, consenting adultery, and autumnal regrets. Richard Strauss’ music is exquisitely beautiful; and the emotional climate includes tenderness, sophistication, and sentimentality, all very ideal as a story set to music.

Kiri Te Kanawa earns most of the acclaim in what is probably her best role; she is definitive as the Marschallin: she shows us her sensitivity as an actress…she is also an exquisitely graceful and beautiful woman, making this aesthetically in every way a perfect performance.

Barbara Bonney is sweet as Sophie; her voice is ideal voice for this role, and she uses it with wonderful artistry.

Sir Georg Solti is one conductor whom I greatly admire, and he conducts with a sensitivity and lyricism that is ideal for this opera. I miss him now that he’s left us…

Bottom line: It is the totality of the performance as musical theatre that is completely captivating; this performance just “works” from beginning to end. All of the elements that make up a great operatic performance come together from beginning to end.

Here is Kiri Te Kanawa as the Marschallin singing “ich hab’ ihn nicht” from Strauss’ “Der Rosenkavalier”. A Royal Opera House, Covent Garden production from 1986; conducted by Sir Georg Solti

To purchase this DVD at Amazon, please click the image below:

Tags: Rosenkavalier, Solti, Te Kanawa, Bonney

An Evening with Renée Fleming
Recorded live at Waldbühne (Forrest stage), Berlin, 2010

The Waldbühne in Berlin, one of the most beautiful outdoor amphitheatres in Europe, is the home of the Berliner Philharmoniker’s summer concerts. With a large number of attendees, these are some of the most popular classical music concerts in the world.

This year the Berliner Philharmoniker play under the baton of Ion Marin, one of the most exciting conductors on today’s musical scene. They welcome Grammy Award winning soprano Renée Fleming, who has a devoted international following wherever she appears. Her career has been built on success across a wide range of musical styles, but she is best-known for her excellence in opera.

Here is the Program on this DVD:

Dvorak:
Mesícku na nebi hlubokém ‘Song to the Moon’ (from Rusalka)

Elgar:
Salut d’amour, Op. 12

Khachaturian:
Spartacus: Adagio of Spartacus & Phrygia

Korngold:
Glück, das mir verbleib ‘Marietta’s Lied’ (from Die Tote Stadt)

Leoncavallo:
Mimi Pinson la biondinetta (from La Bohème)
Musette svaria sulla bocca viva (from La Bohème)

Mussorgsky:
A Night on the Bare Mountain

Puccini:
Donde lieta usci (from La Bohème)
Tu che di gel sei cinta (from Turandot)

Smetana:
Dobrá! Já mu je dám!… Jak je mi? (Dalibor)

Strauss, R:
Capriccio: closing scene
Zueignung, Op. 10 No. 1

Tchaikovsky:
Romeo & Juliet: Fantasy Overture

Wagner:
Rienzi Overture

Ms. Fleming is the consummate musician: Sensitive, lyrical, artistic, and devoted to achieving excellence in whatever works she performs. Just look at the diversity of the compositions above: Italian, Austrian, Russian, German, British, and others. And her phrasing and interpretation always brings the crowd to its feet with cheers!

Below is a video of Renée Fleming singing from Puccini’s Turandot at the Waldbühne concert 2010:

And here’s one more video from the same concert:

Tags: Renee Fleming, Waldbühne, outdoor concerts, Berlin

For many of you, the details of the life of Mozart are likely tied up in the movie “Amadeus”. While this was a great show, there were also some liberties taken, as far as accuracies with facts are concerned. Now you have an opportunity to watch a fine new study of the life of this musical genius via this DVD.

IN SEARCH OF MOZART is the first feature-length documentary on Mozart’s life. Produced with the world’s leading orchestras and musicians, told through a 25,000 mile journey along every route Mozart followed, this story takes us to the heart of his genius.

In Search of Mozart traces the composer’s life through his music and his extensive correspondence. Over 80 works are featured in chronological order, revealing striking parallels between the music and Mozart’s own experiences. Throughout, it is the music that takes our attention, with the rest of Mozart’s life fitting around it.

This is a fine documentary that gives a clear account of Mozart’s genius, and the social and political contexts of the times in which he lived., The narration and the off-screen actors are all excellently done. The film is entertaining and enlightening; it is good for a general audience and for a person who has previously studied Mozart’s life.

Mixing musical performances with authoritative interviews with musicians and historians, the filmmaker explores the life and times of Mozart and brings the viewer into the present and provides, I believe, answers as to why Mozart’s music lives on for us today. This is the best documentary on Mozart yet produced. The musicians and performers are some of the world’s very best. The film is well done and gives a real understanding of Mozart, his life and times. The musical excerpts are exceptional.

Here is an interview with Phil Grabsky, the Director of this film:

And here is the section from Mozart’s Opera Don Giovanni:

As a young fellow of 14, I saw a production of the Johann Strauss opera “Die Fledermaus”, and I still have memories of it. It was live at the Theater an der Wien in Vienna, Austria. Long time ago…

This most memorable of all Johann Strauss’s operettas is a perennial favorite, with its bright, wonderful Viennese dance music and charmingly nonsensical plot. In this glittering production, the elegant gaiety of the music provides an evening of sparkling entertainment. The singers are Judith Howarth, Louis Otey, Jochen Kowalski, and Nancy Gustafson. The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House and Chorus are conducted by Richard Bonynge.

The production, as recorded on this DVD, also preserves a very special occasion: The 1990 New Year’s Eve Gala in which Joan Sutherland made a cameo appearance–her Covent Garden farewell performance–during the Fledermaus party scene. She brought with her two of the outstanding partners in her career, Marilyn Horne and Luciano Pavarotti. All were in very good voice, and they gave their audience some extraordinary singing. Highlights included Sutherland’s wonderful “Home, Sweet Home,” Horne’s performance of “Mon coeur s’ouvre a ta voix” from Samson et Dalila, and Sutherland and Pavarotti in the heart-breaking duet “Parigi, o cara” from La Traviata.

Although this recording is a fine Fledermaus performance, many will want to see this DVD mainly for its historic farewell to Miss Sutherland. The party scene lasts about 40 minutes, and it also includes two ballets to Strauss’ music. We see Dame Joan at the final curtain calls when she speaks her farewell to the enthusiastic audience.

Here are Luciano Pavarotti and Marilyn Horne as guests of Joan Sutherland in the operetta “Die Fledermaus”:

And here’s one more solo by Pavarotti for the guests at the party:

Renée Fleming stars as the glamorous courtesan Thaïs in Jules Massenet’s romantic opera set in fourth century Alexandria and the Egyptian desert.

What is most important is that the singers on this DVD are Metropolitan Opera stars, and that is paramount, in my view. Sets, colors, costumes, are – for me – secondary.

Both Renee Fleming and Thomas Hampson show us first hand that they are outstanding singers for this opera. Supporting the opera’s singing cast is the great Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, plus chorus and Ballet, conducted by Jesus Lopez-Cobos.

Opera star Renee Fleming makes the most of this role, and her voice is spectacular, as usual. She also looks spectacular, and she has the true vocal capabilities to bring this strange and decadent character of Thais to life. Thomas Hampson is seen and heard in the lead male role as the attractive, aristocratic Athanael. Hampson’s singing is beautiful, and he forms a great partner for Fleming. His singing is lyrical, musical, with great phrasing and the appropriate sensitivity and style.

Here is Rene Fleming performing and aria from Thais:

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And here’s an audio with both Fleming and Hampson:

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In my personal view, Carlos Kleiber was one of the greatest artists in recent times; yet, he was also enigmatic: He limited his appearances in performances, and yet what we do have as a CD and DVD record shows us that he was an amazing conductor, measured by the results he achieved.
In this collection we have the complete Operas and Concerts recorded on DVD. We see the astounding control he had over singers and orchestral players and the way he obtains the amazing musical results for which he is known.
There are two productions of Richard Strauss’s “Der Rosenkavalier” (One from Munich, 1979 and one from Vienna, 1994). Legendary performances of Otto Schenk’s production: The first features a superlative cast including Gwyneth Jones, Brigitte Fassbaender. Lucia Popp and Manfred Jungwirth; the second a no less starry Felicity Lott, Anne Sofie von Otter, Barbara Bonney and Kurt Moll.

Included also are the orchestral concerts of Beethoven (Symphonies Nos. 4 and 7), Brahms (Symphonies Nos. 2 and 4) and Mozart (Symphonies Nos. 33 and 36) All of these demonstrate that Kleiber was one of the greatest artists of recent times.

Also included are two well-known Vienna New Year’s Concerts (1989 and 1992), where the grace and nobility of Carlos Kleiber’s conducting style are totally on display. The disc of the 1992 concert includes a selection of 80 rare photos of Maestro Kleiber.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Kleiber

For me, the two Brahms symphonies represent a level of interpretive achievement which is not surpassed by any conductor. The entire DVD will be released 21 June 2010.

Click below to enjoy Carlos Kleiber conducting the first movement of Brahms Symphony #4 in E-Minor:

This documentary of Valery Gergiev, made originally for New York’s public TV station WNET, does a fine job of presenting a portrait of the musician the personality, and the man. It describes his origins, his devotion to the music and culture of Russia, his rehearsal style, and his hectic professional life. There are many clips of rehearsals and performances including concert performances of Mussorgsky’s Russian Easter and excerpts from much other Russian music by Stravinsky, Rimsky-Korsakoff, Prokofiev and Tchaikovsky. There are commentaries by his manager, members of the London Symphony, soprano Anna Netrebko and others.

The visual aspects of this DVD are beautiful. There are subtitles for the non-English portions of the film. The film includes scenes with London Symphony Orchestra, the Metropolitan Opera, as well as places such as Valery Gergiev’s boyhood home in the Caucasus mountains, Moscow, and of cities along the Volga river. Other participating performers are Yefim Bronfman, Renée Fleming, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Leonidas Kovakos, and Uliana Lopatkina.

Here is Gergiev conducting an extract of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition:

The first three DVDs are a spotlight on Solti’s long and celebrated relationship with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. They offer the following works:

DVD 1:
ROSSINI
Overtures: Il Barbiere di Siviglia, L’Italiana in Algeri, La scala di seta, Semiramide, La gazza ladra
MENDELSSOHN
Symphony No. 3 in A Minor Op.56, `Scottish’
Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op.35 (with violinist Kyung Wha Chung)
Symphony No.4 in A Major, Op.90, `Italian’

DVD 2:
BRUCKNER
Symphony No. 7 in E major
Symphony No. 6 in A major

DVD 3:
WAGNER
Overtures: Der fliegende Holländer, Tannhäuser, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Tristan und Isolde – Prelude, Tristan und Isolde – Liebestöd

STRAUSS
Till Eulenspiegel, Told und Verklärung, Vier Letzte Lieder

DVD 4:
The fourth DVD which spotlights Solti’s rehearsal and performance with the Wiener Philharmoniker. The rehearsal in the Musikverein is perhaps the most fascinating footage of the entire DVD in that Solti speaks to the members of the Philharmoniker of his personal experiences with the Hungarian and Rumanian composers and teachers of his youth such as Kodaly and Bartok.

KODÁLY: Háry János – Suite
BARTÓK: Romanian Dances
WEINER: Introduction Und Scherzo (‘Prinz Csongor Und Die Kobolde’)
BERLIOZ: Hungarian March (‘La Damnation De Faust’)
BEETHOVEN: Symphony No.7 in A Major

Here is a fascinating interview, as well as some musical samples:

This is one fine DVD, which features Mr. Vadim Repin in a performance of the Bruch Violin Concerto. In addition, we also get a beautiful reading of Beethoven’s 7^th Symphony and Stravinsky’s Symphony in Three Movements.

Sir Simon Rattle has become one of my favorite conductors, because he’s able to draw such passion out of orchestras that he leads. He developed his former orchestra in Britain into a terrific organization, and his leadership of the Berlin Philharmonic shows equal signs of his excellence. Rattle brings a spontaneity to the Beethoven Seventh, which gives the music the kind of crispness and excitement that it needs. The players follow him, and their first major sound outburst makes for an inspiring release of energy and tension. The tempi for the succeeding movements are just right, and especially the Funeral movement gives the listener all the phrasing and sensitivity that he expects. In the end, Rattle builds up the pace toward a very satisfying conclusion.

Repin, performing in between the two symphonies, plays beautifully in the Bruch concerto. Repin’s capability as a sensitive violinist is clearly established, and the orchestral support is outstanding. Repin is also quite moving in the Adagio, and terrific in the closing Allegro moderato movement.

The Berlin Philharmonic also plays Stravinsky’s Symphony in Three Movements which might seem as an unusual companion to the other two selections. While it may have been selected to fit the overall available time, it also accomplishes the opportunity to have us learn more about Stravinsky and his mastery. This work, as well, is beautifully performed by Sir Simon and the BPO’s players.

Here is a video of Rattle leading the Beethoven 7th:

What we have in this CD are three amazing forces:

1. The poems, written by Heinrich Heine called Poet’s Love are marvelous expressions of human emotions of Love. Frequently they are sad; yet occasionally also amusing and funny.

2. Then we have the genius of Robert Schumann, who set these poems to music. And over the years, both male and female musicians have provided exciting, satisfying interpretations of these Lieder. (See Barbara Bonney’s DVD elsewhere in my Blog)

3. The great artistry of Thomas Hampson, who gives us a sensitive, musical rendition of the musical setting of these poems.

Thomas Hampson has established a marvelous reputation as a terrific singer, especially of Mahler Lieder. During his visit at the Berlin State Library, Hampson studied Robert Schumann’s original version of the Dichterliebe songs that are recorded here. Schumann’s title in the manuscript is: ‘Zwanzig Lieder und Gesänge aus dem “Lyrischen Intermezzo” im “Buch der Lieder” [Heinrich Heine]‘) (English: Twenty Lieder and Songs from the “Lyric Intermezzo” in the Book of Songs by Heinrich Heine). Thus, when Hampson came to sing a recital in Munich in 2007 he decided to sing the original version. This is its first recording.

There are some changes that the knowledgeable listener will easily hear in this version vs. the currently performed version. In the end, however, this is Schumann/Heine, and thus music that is simply wonderful to enjoy for what it is. For me, having access to the text of the songs helps to appreciate the music even more.

The rest of the DVD, which is taken from two performances at Munich’s Prinzregententheater on December 18 & 20, 2007, includes Schumann’s ‘Zwölf Gedichte’ (‘Twelve Poems’), texts by Justinus Kerner. Hampson’s sensitive accompanist is the distinguished pianist Wolfram Rieger.

Here is a 2-minutes extract of this recording:

I have participated in music making and preparation at the chamber music level, and at the orchestral level. For those of you who love music, and do not know what it takes to prepare a composition for performance, this has to be a ‘must purchase’ for you.

Michael Tilson Thomas brings the viewer the insight on what he is trying to achieve with his interpretation of this work. We see the meeting at Thomas’ home with the orchestra’s concert master, as the two musicians discuss different alternative violin bow movements, and the difference this can create in the ultimate sound.

This DVD is also an excellent educational tool, for those who want to learn more of the background of this composition, and to learn the various instruments that are featured in this piece.

We get a very thoughtful and interesting narration by Michael Tilson Thomas, as he prepares for the performance with his orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony. There is also a scene in which the orchestra talks with a group of children about how the orchestra works, and this includes a personal moment where the piccolo player discusses how nervous she gets playing the very difficult solo in the Tchaikovsky Fourth’s third movement.

The rehearsal scenes are then followed by an exciting and very satisfying live performance of the piece in San Francisco’s Davies Symphony Hall. Sound and video are outstanding.

Click below to see/hear Mr. Thomas conduct the 4th movement of the Symphony:

This recorded concert is one of the so-called ‘Europa Concerts’ of the Berlin Philharmonic for which they visit several European cities to present their concerts. This concert was filmed beautifully at the Teatro di San Carlo in Naples, Italy.

In this concert Muti begins with a passionate reading of the La Forza del Destino Overture by Verdi, followed by the rarely – performed ‘La Canzone Dei Ricordi’ (‘The Song of Memory’) by Italian composer Giuseppe Martucci (1856-1909). This composition is a collection of seven poignant songs about lost or faded love. It is richly orchestrated, and these songs are a particular favorite of Muti’s and he has recorded it before with the great singer, Mirella Freni. In this DVD, Violeta Urmana is the soprano; The Berlin Philharmonic’s string section presents a warm depth to Martucci’s rich orchestral writing, and a very balanced accompaniment.

Undoubtedly the main attraction of this DVD is Franz Schubert’s No. 9, known as the ‘Great C Major’ Symphony. While this is a score that the Berlin Philharmonic has likely played hundreds of times, Muti brings wonderful musical feeling to this music. His great emotional energy, precise timing, and total dedication to the composer’s score make this a special reading of this great work.

This DVD was just released on October 27th, 2009. The orchestra’s playing under Muti’s leadership results in a wonderfully expressive interpretation with a warm sound that is a complete delight in experiencing Schubert’s masterpiece.

Check here for an extract from this recording:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-ERSwjQ–A&feature=PlayList&p=C644E2A8E00B59D5&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=15

The Guarneri Quartet performs two of Beethoven’s masterpieces on this DVD: The Quartet #9 in C-Major, Op. 59, Number 3, also know as the third Rasumofsky Quartet; and the Quartet number 11 in F-Minor Op. 95, also known as the “Serioso” Quartet.

This group had performed together for their entire musical career, after meeting during their studies and deciding to form a string quartet. Arnold Steinhardt, the first violinist has written one or two books about their performance history.

The performance is intelligent, clean, with excellent adherence to balance and dynamic markings. It is solid and direct. The playing ought to be satisfying to those listeners who want to have Beethoven performed with strict adherence to tradition, and with conservative approaches to the material as it appears in the printed music. What I mean is that there are few surprises. The group does not present any new insight into individual passages that we have not previously heard. There is no attempt to show us some very subtle area, perhaps in the slow movements, where we hear something delightfully new or sensitive.

These works are played in a very traditional style, with seemingly little risk taking to explore some new aspect of these pieces; having said that, I hasten to add that the playing is consistently beautiful. We hear the very rich string tone, tasteful phrasing, and impeccable musicianship for which this group is famous. And the musicians themselves are really a great match with each other. It is quite satisfying to hear such strength of playing from the viola and the Cello. The viola player, Mr. Tree, is confident to sound above the other players, when it is clear that Beethoven gave him the melody. And David Soyer, the Cellist, is equally in the forefront when the music requires him to be there.

These are very satisfying performances, if somewhat conservative per my comments above.