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Cat. No.: 073 4422 |
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VIENNA PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA | GEORGES PRÊTRE
ARTISTS Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
TRACK LISTING Johann Strauss II Napoleon-Marsch, op. 156
Encores:
The New Year’s Concert in Vienna has been a glorious tradition year on year for over six decades. A best-selling classical event year on year, the concert has unique global appeal. It is broadcast on TV and radio to over 50 countries, and is viewed by tens of millions of people all over the world. The 2008 New Year’s Day Concert will be conducted by the eminent conductor Georges Prêtre for the first time. Prêtre is the first French conductor to receive this honour. The concert programme for 1st January 2008 will be the customary collection of Strauss delights, but this time with a French theme. The concert will open with Napoleon March op.156 by Johann Strauss II, performed for the first time in a New Year’s Concert. Other French novelties include the waltz Paris by the elder Johann Strauss, composed in 1838 for his Paris concerts, and the Versailles Galop. Also performed for the first time are the Orpheus Quadrille, which was greeted with thunderous applause at its first performance in April 1860, and the Laxenburg Polka by Josef Strauss. The traditional encores the Blue Danube Waltz and Radetzky March, will be joined by the Sport Polka, as a nod to the European Football Championship in Vienna in 2008. The year’s second great sporting event, the Summer Olympics in Beijing, is saluted by the orchestra earlier in the programme with an early work of the elder Johann Strauss, his exotically coloured Chinese Galop. George Prêtre has a special association with the Wiener Philharmoniker dating back to 1966. He is one of the few French Artists to have received the highest decorations both in France and abroad: Commander of the French Légion d’honneur and the Austrian Cross for Services Rendered to Science and the Arts. He also became Honorary Member of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Vienna - the highest decoration an artist can obtain in Vienna. |
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Cat. No.: 073 4422 |
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VIENNA PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA | Best of New Years Concerts
Microsite:
ARTISTS Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
TRACK LISTING JOHANN STRAUSS II (1825-1899) 2 Fruehlingsstimmen, Walzer, op. 410 3 Elisen-Polka, Polka française, op. 151 4 Geschichten aus dem Wienerwald, Walzer, op. 325
JOSEF STRAUSS (1827-1870)
JOHANN STRAUSS II
JOSEPH HELLMESBERGER II (1855-1907) 7 Auf Wiener Art, Polka française
JOHANN STRAUSS II 9 Kaiser-Walzer, op. 437 10 Accelerationen, Walzer, op. 234 11 Du und Du, Walzer, op. 367
JOHANN STRAUSS II & JOSEF STRAUSS
JOHANN STRAUSS II 14 Unter Donner und Blitz, Polka, op. 324 15 Wiener Blut, Walzer, op. 354 16 An der schönen blauen Donau, Walzer, op. 314
JOHANN STRAUSS I (1804-1849)
The very first DVD collection of highlights of one of the most popular classical music events in the world; the famous annual New Year’s concert of the Vienna Philharmonic. Best of New Year’s Concert is a visual feast: great waltzes with ballet, the most famous sights of Vienna such as the Prater, Hofburg, Belvedere, Riesenrad, Spanish Riding school and Schönbrunn. It is featured in February’s GOOD LISTENING on Ovation.
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Cat. No.: 074 3238 |
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RUSSELL WATSON | The Voice – The Ultimate Collection
ARTISTS Russell Watson
TRACK LISTING 1. Questa o quella
Russell Watson in 21 favourite tracks, with guest stars Mel C, Hayley Westenra, Lulu and Lea Salonga. Includes Nella fanstasia, Caruso, Nessun Dorma, Barcelona and many more First DVD release of 9 Tracks, chosen from Russell Watson’s American debut concert in Atlantic City Plus 5 Bonus Videos, including Barcelona (with Shaun Ryder) and Pelagia’s Song from ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin’ Often the expression ‘ultimate’ can seem a little ambitious, but in Russell Watson’s case it is the only word that describes the scale of this young tenor’s achievements. The Ultimate Collection DVD presents the cream of his filmed stage appearances. On this DVD are the songs that took Russell from obscurity on the club circuit of north-west England to international stardom. Manchester United chairman Martin Edwards was the first to spot Russell’s unique talent when, in 1999, he invited him to perform at the club’s Old Trafford ground. For many people this would be their ultimate experience – for Russell it was only one of many more to come. Multiple performances at Wembley Stadium, singing with Pavarotti to over 70,000 at London’s Hyde Park, performing to over five million people in the Independence Day celebrations at The White House and performing in his home town of Manchester for the opening of the Commonwealth Games (to 1 billion TV viewers) – just four of Russell’s ultimate experiences. Alongside were his sell-out solo concerts, spanning the world. Leeds’ Millennium Square saw Russell’s triumphant broadcast debut in 2001. Just months later, America witnessed ‘The Voice’ for the first time, relayed from Donald Trump’s Taj Mahal in Atlantic City. Early the following year, across another ocean (via the QE2), Russell appeared before a massed open-air audience in Auckland, New Zealand. In just nine months, Russell’s extraordinary talent had encircled the globe, and this DVD captures the ultimate moments from these ground-breaking occasions. Away from the stage Russell’s achievements are no less impressive. He performed the title track for the Nicolas Cage movie Captain Corelli’s Mandolin and the theme music for the Star Trek: Enterprise series (the music videos created for these projects are included here). But it’s Russell’s record on the disc that guarantees his status as the ultimate tenor. All of Russell’s albums have achieved Gold, Platinum and Double Platinum status. His debut album The Voice broke all records by spending one year at the top of the UK classical chart. But his success is not confined to the classical world: his second album Encore 10 weeks in the pop chart Top 10. His third, Reprise, produced a Top 10 hit single. Russell’s many achievements can be encapsulated in the one remarkable fact that this young man from Salford, with no more ambition than to sing the songs he loves, was recently declared one of the UK’s biggest-selling artists of the 21st century, eclipsing even Madonna. Both in sight and sound, truly the Ultimate Collection from the ultimate singer.
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Cat. No.: 073 4421 |
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ANNA NETREBKO | BELLINI: I Puritani Microsite: ARTISTS Anna Netrebko – Elvira Patrick Summers
TRACK LISTING BELLINI: I Puritani
This DVD is based on the I Puritani revival in January 2007; Anna Netrebko’s partners are the young American tenor Eric Cutler in the role of Arturo, the fine young Canadian bass-baritone John Relyea and the Italian baritone Franco Vassallo as Riccardo The world’s favourite prima donna Anna Netrebko had a tremendous success with her first Elvira at the MET The performance was transmitted live in high definition to movie theatres in the US, Canada and Europe, and broadcasted live on Metropolitan Opera Radio, on Sirius Satellite radio channel 85 “Looking as graceful as a gazelle and singing as sweetly as a bell struck with a surprising outburst of coloratura, Anna Netrebko sang in I Puritani for the first time at the MET” (The New York Post) “Anna Netrebko proved herself a master of extreme opera, that volatile mixture of emotional distress and consummate technique. That’s what we need divas for” (Newsday NY) “The prolonged ovation she received after the act II mad scene threatened to stop the performance midway” (The New York Times) |
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Cat. No.: 073 4415 |
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GIDON KREMER | VIVALDI: The Four Seasons
Microsite:
ARTISTS Gidon Kremer, violin
TRACK LISTING Concerto for Violin and Strings in E, Op.8, No.1, R.269 "Spring" Directed by Christopher Nupen The Four Seasons is Vivaldi's best-known work, and is among the most popular pieces of Baroque music Kremer, an artist of international stature and a markedly individual personality, not only plays the solo part, but also leads the renowned English Chamber Orchestra |
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Cat. No.: 073 4386 |
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HERBERT VON KARAJAN | BRAHMS: Symphonies Nos. 1-4
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ARTISTS Berliner Philharmoniker
TRACK LISTING BRAHMS:
DVD 2
Maestro Herbert von Karajan leads the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra in a performance of all 4 Brahms Symphonies
This live video recording from the Berlin Philharmonie (1973) was directed by Herbert from Karajan
"Probably the world's best-known conductor and one of the most powerful figures in classical music […] in the topmost ranks of 20th-century conductors." (New York Times) |
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Cat. No.: 073 4389 |
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HERBERT VON KARAJAN
Microsite:
PAGLIACCI Filmed at the Palazzo Giacchio, Milan, May/June 1968 This production of “Cavalleria Rusticana” from 1968 was staged by Giorgio Strehler and Herbert von Karajan conducted the Orchestra e Coro del Teatro alla Scala Based on a drama by Giovanni Verga, “Cavalleria Rusticana” relates the lives and passions of simple Sicilian peasants Director Ake Falck adds a cinematic dimension to what would otherwise be a fairly straightforward screen document of celebrated director Giorgio Strehler´s La Scala production by means of outdoor shots of Sicily´s splendid landscapes during the overture and intermezzo Combined with the lavish set and costumes by Luciano Damiani, these images intensify the feeling of a sultry southern landscape as a background to the inflamed passions and violence of the action As Santuzza, Fiorenza Cossotto´s passionate intensity make a good contrast to Adriana Martino´s gaily-dressed, light-hearted Lola Gianfranco Cecchele makes a rakish Turiddù, and Giangiacomo Guelfi is a strong, swaggering, confident Alfio “….nearly always intriguing.” (The New York Times) |
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Cat. No.: 074 3245 |
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LEO NUCCI | GULEGHINA | VERONA | OREN
ARTISTS Leo Nucci The spectacular new production from the 2007 festival at the historic Arena di Verona Includes a powerful staging of the Chorus Of The Hebrew Slaves. A truly breathtaking production of Verdi's story of lust, intrigue, blackmail and deceit, recorded live in summer 2007 at the glorious Roman amphitheatre at Verona. The sheer size of this magnificent structure enables opera to be staged on a vast, theatrical scale, impossible on even the largest indoor opera house stage. Renowned Verdi singers Leo Nucci and Maria Guleghina take on the roles of Nabucco and his daughter Abigail. Daniel Oren conducts Verona's resident orchestra. Nabucco includes the 'Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves', one of the most famous moments in all opera. In addition, spectacular lighting effects and dazzling costumes and scenery gives this DVD a unique selling point over other productions - the performance really has to be seen to be fully appreciated. Includes 'Making of' documentary as an extra |
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Cat. No.: 073 4300 |
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LUCIANO PAVAROTTI | The Italian Opera Collection
Microsite:
ARTISTS Luciano Pavarotti
TRACK LISTING DONIZETTI: L’elisir d’amore Luciano Pavarotti at the Met in three of the legendary Italian tenor’s greatest roles: Bonus: Interviews with Luciano Pavarotti, James Levine, and Renata Scotto – plus a picture gallery |
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Cat. No.: 073 4390 |
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HERBERT VON KARAJAN | WAGNER: Das Rheingold
Microsite:
ARTISTS Thomas Stewart (Wotan) Herbert von Karajan´s Rheingold: The spectacular start of a “Ring” with the Berliner Philharmoniker doomed to remain a fragment. This 1978 studio production of Rheingold, the prologue to The Ring, is the only segment of the famous Salzburg Festival / Metropolitan Opera productions first seen in the 1960s that made it to film. Based in a production from the Salzburg Easter Festival, Georges Wakhevitch has produced stage settings and transformations that support Karajan´s concept with every possible means. Karajan´s staging is in the epic style of another age, emphasizing the dignity of the gods rather than their all too human failings. With the singers – foremost among them Peter Schreier – Karajan has an ensemble that fully conforms to his intentions. Thomas Stewart is a nobly singing Wotan and next to him is the grandiose Brigitte Fassbaender as Fricka, a profoundly embittered figure. “Peter Schreier´s portrayal of the crafty Loge, full of nuance and insight…” (Opera Canada) |
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Cat. No.: 073 4391 |
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HERBERT VON KARAJAN | BEETHOVEN: Missa Solemnis
Microsite:
ARTISTS Anna Tomowa-Sintow, Soprano Conductor, Director and artistic supervisor Herbert von Karajan leads the Berliner Philharmoniker and the Wiener Singverein with the Missa Solemnis by Ludwig van Beethoven. This performance with a superb quartet of soloists – Anna Tomowa-Sintow, Ruza Baldani, Eric Tappy, José van Dam – is a live production from the Easter Festival in Salzburg in 1979. The Missa Solemnis op 79 – one of the most important masses – is scored for an orchestra and organ, together with four solo singers and chorus and has a highly dramatic, symphonic style. The Missa Solemnis was first performed in St.Petersburg in April 1824, under the musical supervision and with the financial support of Prince Nikolai Galitzin “ Karajan´s view of the Missa Solemnis shows a remarkable consistency” (New Hi-Fi Sound) “…powerful, moving, uplifting and one of the great masterpieces of Beethoven…” (New Hi-Fi Sound)
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Cat. No.: 073 4395 |
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HERBERT VON KARAJAN
Microsite:
ARTISTS Anna Tomowa-Sintow
TRACK LISTING BRUCKNER
DVD 2
Directed by Herbert von Karajan Bruckner´s Symphony No 8 in an early version of 1887, was recorded live in spring 1979 at the splendid Baroque monastery church of St.Florian near Linz, were Bruckner spent many years as a student and teacher in his youth. Bruckner himself regarded the Adagio of his 8th Symphony as the greatest movement in any of his symphonies. The work was first performed by the Vienna Philharmonic in December 1892 under the direction of Hans Richter. Live from the Musikverein, Vienna, from 1978 Bruckner´s last, unfinished symphonic masterpiece Symphony No. 9 and Te Deum. Te Deum - one of Bruckner´s most striking vocal works with the superb cast Anna Tomowa-Sintow, Agnes Baltsa, David Rendall, José van Dam and the Wiener Singverein “Without a doubt this 1978 film performance rivals his best audio only recordings in control an insight.” (Calgary Herald) |
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Cat. No.: 073 4402 |
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YEVGENY KISSIN
Microsite:
ARTISTS Evgeny Kissin, piano
TRACK LISTING Schubert: Fantasy C major D 760 “Wanderer" Produced and directed by Christopher Nupen "I'm romantic as a person, and my romantic nature is reflected in my choice of music and my performing style" Yevgeny Kissin “There was a suppleness in Mr. Kissin's playing that let the music breathe, and one could only marvel at his ability to maintain transparency of texture and an impeccable delineation of musical lines.” (New York Times) |
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Cat. No.: 073 4404 |
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PETER SCHNEIDER | WAGNER: Lohengrin
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ARTISTS Paul Frey (Lohengrin) Wagner´s Lohengrin in a Bayreuth Festival production staged by renowned filmmaker Werner Herzog. The medieval romance of the Swan Knight, who comes miraculously to the rescue of the falsely accused Elsa of Brabant, became one of Richard Wagner’s most beloved operas. World acclaimed director Werner Herzog stages Richard Wagner´s classical opera in a lavish production filmed at the famed Bayreuth Opera House, with Peter Scheider conducting the Bayreuth Festival Orchesta. Features some of the great names such as Cheryl Studer as Elsa and Paul Frey as Lohengrin, as well as Gabriele Schnaut, Ekkehard Wlaschiha and Manfred Schenk |
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