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′.
William Walton Gala Concert
Sir Andre Previn conducts the Philharmonia Orchestra in this gala concert, given to mark the eightieth birthday of one of Britain’s best-loved twentieth-century composers, Sir William Walton (1902-83). Recorded live from London’s Royal Festival Hall, in Walton’s presence, it features three of his most famous works: the Coronation march, Orb and Sceptre, Concerto for Violin in B minor (soloist Kyung-Wha Chung), and Belshazzar’s Feast for baritone (Sir Thomas Allen), chorus (the Philharmonia Chorus) and orchestra.
Saint-Saëns, Piano Concerto No.2 in G minor, op.22
At 88, Arthur Rubinstein showed no trace of losing that quality of “joie de vivre” that had so fascinated audiences for almost three quarters of a century. The true Rubinstein sound, full and sonorous at every pitch, was always one of the distinctive marks of his playing ever since he began appearing in public. Rubinstein’s performance of Saint-Saëns’s Piano Concerto No. 2, accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra under André Previn, is a perfect testimony of his notion of a “singing tone”. With playing that is by turns vital and poetic, extrovert and reflective, rhapsodic and poised, this performance, filmed in April 1975 at Croydon’s Fairfield Hall, is Rubinstein at his warm-hearted, lyrical best. Incidentally, Rubinstein made his New York debut with the Saint-Saëns Concerto at Carnegie Hall on 8 January 1906.
Chopin, Piano Concerto No.2 in F minor, op.21
Grieg, Piano Concerto in A minor, op.16
At 88, Artur Rubinstein showed no trace of losing that quality of “joie de vivre” that had so fascinated audiences for almost three quarters of a century. The true Rubinstein sound, full and sonorous at every pitch, was always one of the distinctive marks of his playing ever since he began appearing in public. Rubinstein’s performance of Grieg’s ever-popular piano concerto, accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra under André Previn, is a perfect testimony of his notion of a “singing tone”. With playing that is by turns vital and poetic, extrovert and reflective, rhapsodic and poised, this performance, filmed in April 1975 at London’s Fairfield Hall, is Rubinstein at his warm-hearted, lyrical best.
Portrait André Previn – A Bridge Between Two Worlds
Sir André Previn is one of the most multi-talented and prominent musicians of our time. In this intimate portrait, we meet a composer of music of all genres, a conductor, arranger, pianist and jazz musician, and winner of four Academy Awards for his film scores. Among the musical and artistic personalities contributing to this documentary are the great soprano Renée Fleming, Previn’s ex-wife Mia Farrow, world-class violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, playwright Tom Stoppard, Previn’s sons and others. In candid conversations with the versatile musician, they help capture the essence of an artist who is truly at home in the different cultural worlds of America and Europe.