The Creation (Die Schöpfung)

To mark its 40th anniversary, the International Baroque Days of Melk Abbey are returning to their roots: Under the musical direction of Stefan Gottfried, the Concentus Musicus Wien, the Bach Choir Salzburg, together with soloists Anna Lucia Richter, Michael Schade and Florian Boesch, perform Joseph Haydn’s famous oratorio “Die Schöpfung” (The Creation). First performed in Vienna in 1798, Haydn’s three-part oratorio is still considered a reference work today. The creation of the world, the chaos of all beginnings is marked by picturesque depictions of nature in the composition.

Leonard Bernstein: Joseph Haydn Symphonies

Haydn is generally seen as one of the main originators of the “Viennese sound”, the inimitable style of playing which is still very much alive today and is particularly cultivated by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. This orchestra has Haydn’s music in its blood, and its interpretation of his symphonies demonstrates a supreme confidence, musical sophistication and lightness of touch. As a noted American music critic remarked following a performance of the Oxford Symphony conducted by Leonard Bernstein: “Let’s have no further argument: the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra is the best orchestra in the world. Bernstein’s interpretations of the symphonies have consistently met with unreserved critical acclaim. He, of all conductors, possessed precisely the qualities which Haydn’s music requires: grace, charm and a generous measure of wit.”

Tanglewood 75th Anniversary Celebration

Tanglewood is one of the world’s most beloved music festivals and serves as the summer home for the famed Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO). In a star-studded event featuring some of its most distinguished and longtime contributors, the prestigious Tanglewood Festival celebrated its 75th anniversary with an evening of sparkling music that will last in memory.

Leonard Bernstein conducts Beethoven and Haydn

Beethoven’s String Quartet op. 135 was the last work he would complete before his death. Especially in the poignant slow movement, this otherworldy masterpiece can be read as the farewell music of a genius. In 1989, less than a year before his own death, Bernstein delivered a powerful and now legendary live performance of this work – transcribed for string orchestra and played by the Vienna Philharmonic. For the first time ever, this famous concert is now being released on DVD and Blu-ray. Another definitive Bernstein performance debuting now on both mediums is the enigmatic maestro’s reading of Haydn’s Missa in tempore belli, filmed live in concert at Ottobeuren in 1984, using to maximum effect the deeply impressive setting of the monastery’s magnificent Baroque basilica.

Christopher Hogwood on Haydn

Haydn (1732-1809), the ‘Father of the Symphony’, spent his most creative years as Kapellmeister at the Esterháza Palace in Hungary. Conductor Christopher Hogwood travels to Esterháza with his orchestra, the Academy of Ancient Music, and leading Haydn authority H. C. Robbins Landon, to explore the composer’s life and his music. Musical illustrations recorded at Esterháza raise questions about the authentic style of rendition championed by Hogwood and his musicians.

Haydn at Esterhaza

Haydn wrote most of his symphonies while he was in the employ of the Esterházy family, whose palace in Hungary was known as the ‘Versailles of the East’. Filmed in the magnificent mirrored great hall of the palace, this programme records a unique attempt to recreate a performance of Haydn’s music as close to the original as possible, Christopher Hogwood conducts the Academy of Ancient Music playing the composer’s Symphonies No. 23 in G, 28 in A, and 29 in E.

Sounds Magnificent – The Story of the Symphony

This series, featuring Sir André Previn and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, tells the story of the symphony. In each programme, Previn introduces a performance of a major symphonic work. He sets the music to be performed in the context of its composer’s life and work, explaining the way in which it contributed to the development of the symphonic form. His comments are illustrated by the orchestra, who play a variety of supporting extracts. The music featured in the series is Haydn’s Symphony No. 87, Mozart’s Symphony No. 39, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 (extracts) and Symphony No. 7, Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique, Brahms’ Symphony No. 4, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 (Pathetique), and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5. Six parts à 88′.

In Rehearsal: Christoph von Dohnanyi

Featuring some of today’s leading conductors in rehearsal, this series gives a unique

insight into the process of creating great music. The conductors’ very different styles and

methods; the dialogue between an orchestra and an inspired interpreter; the intensity of the

preparations for a concert performance; and the struggle towards perfection are captured in these

revealing audio-visual records. Most episodes include a full run-through of the work rehearsed.

All include interviews with the conductor who is seen at work. Pierre Boulez rehearses the Vienna

Philharmonic Orchestra for a performance of Alban Berg’s Three Pieces for Orchestra Op. 6 and his

own composition Notations I-IV . Directed by Felix Breisach 57’ R7117 Christoph von Dohnányi

rehearses Haydn’s Symphony No. 88 in G with the Philharmonia. Directed by Barrie Gavin 59’ R7116

Sir John Eliot Gardiner works with the Monteverdi Choir and the English Baroque Soloists on J. S.

Bach’s Cantata No. 63. The soloists are Ann Monoyios (soprano), Sara Mingardo (alto), Rufus

Müller (tenor), and Stephan Loges (bass). Directed by Manfred Waffender 59’ R0759 Valéry Gergiev

works with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra on Prokofiev’s Scythian Suite Op. 20. Directed by

Rob van den Berg 59′ R7113 Mariss Jansons prepares Bartók’s Miraculous Mandarin Suite with the

Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra. Directed by Morten Thomte 55′ R0756 Zubin Mehta rehearses the Israel

Philharmonic Orchestra for a performance of Richard Strauss’s Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche

Op. 28. Directed by Peter Berggren 55′ R7112 Esa-Pekka Salonen rehearses and performs Debussy’s

impressionistic orchestral piece, La Mer, with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. Directed

by Peter Berggren 56′ R7115