The American dancer and choreographer John Neumeier is renowned for his work with the Hamburg Ballet. He was filmed with the company over a busy six-month period, which encompassed rehearsals for Artus Sage, the creation of The Magnificat, and performances in Hamburg, Paris and Avignon of works including his acclaimed St Matthew Passion. Throughout the programme Neumeier talks about his methods and his creative influences.
Sir Georg Solti
At the age of seventy-five, fifty years after he was forced to leave Hungary because of its anti-semitic regime, maestro Solti (1912-97) went back to conduct his country’s State Symphony Orchestra for the very first time. This film records his emotional return to his homeland. It centres on a searching interview about his early life, accompanies him to landmarks of his youth, such as the Franz Liszt Music Academy where he studied, and shows rehearsals for the triumphant concert he gave.
Sylvie Guillem at Work
This portrait shows the prima ballerina in her daily round of classes, rehearsals and performances, revealing her dedication to perfection. Sylvie Guillem’s preparation for Nureyev’s Raymonda, her first performances in Rudi van Dantzig’s Four Last Songs and William Forsythe’s In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated, and her appearance at a gala, dancing Bejart’s La Luna, are all recorded for posterity in this film.
Suzanne Vega
In this programme, American singer/song-writer Suzanne Vega talks about her songs, her New York background and the influences on her music. She performs specially-arranged solo versions of Luka, Small Blue Thing and Tom’s Diner and is seen in concert singing Gypsy Cracking, Ironbound/Fancy Poultry, Marlene on the Wall and Black Widow Station.
Thomas Allen
Internationally acclaimed, the leading lyrical baritone is noted for his skill not only as a singer, but also for his acting. In this programme, Allen takes a masterclass with trainees from the National Opera Studio, looking at scenes from Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro and Britten’s Billy Budd. He also talks in interview about his career and his approach to opera.
Underground Art
Since it opened in 1863, the London Underground has been a source of fascination for a colourful assortment of writers, artists, musicians and film-makers. It has been in its time a testing ground for a new form of traction power – electricity, a shelter for thousands during the Blitz, and a setting for films and television programmes. This imaginative journey through its labyrinthine tunnels looks at some of the creative by-products of this subterranean world.
The Penguin Cafe Orchestra
Under its leader and composer Simon Jeffes, this ensemble has been making its own idiosyncratic brand of music since the mid-1970s, drawing on classical and avant-garde sources, as well as pop, folk and ethnic forms, with instruments ranging from the piano, cello, violin and drums, to the ukelele, electric guitar and penny whistle. A studio recording of performances by the PCO is punctuated with interviews in which they discuss their original and eclectic style.
The Andrew Lloyd Webber Story
Lloyd Webber has achieved unprecedented success in the world of musical entertainment. He talks about his life and his music in an in-depth interview, illustrated with excerpts from his hit shows, including Evita, Cats, and Jesus Christ Superstar, many specially staged for this programme. Elaine Paige, Sarah Brightman and Marti Webb perform Lloyd Webber favourites, and the original production of The Phantom of the Opera is seen in preparation, rehearsal and performance.
Gluck: Winds of Change
Gluck had an insatiable appetite for success and its rewards, and also for food and drink. In 1787, he finally gorged himself to death and died while on a carriage ride with his devoted wife. This fatal outing is the starting point of Inger Åby’s stylised dramatisation of Gluck’s life, set to some of his most beautiful music and filmed in historic settings around Stockholm, including the Drottningholm Palace, with its magnificent eighteenth-century theatre.
The Al Jolson Story
Little has ever been heard of the true Al Jolson – the extravagant womaniser, who poached material, went in for outrageous contractual manoeuvrings and whose occasional ruthless cruelty left him few real friends among a host of hangers-on. This colourful and candid profile of the legendary singer includes extensive film clips, rare archive and home movie footage, together with a number of interviews with those who knew him well.