In April of 1975, a piece of music history is filmed in London’s Fairfield Hall: the legendary pianist Arthur Rubinstein wants to leave a legacy to the world. 63 years after he made his debut there, 88 year old Rubinstein returns to London to record Chopin’s Second Piano Concerto, completely without an audience, especially for the cameras, with the London Symphony Orchestra under conductor André Previn. Chopin’s Second Piano Concerto has accompanied him throughout his life. Rubinstein dominated the world stage for three quarters of a century and lived life to the fullest as a connoisseur, globetrotter and notorious womaniser. Although he claimed to practice as little as possible, he would go on to become one of the most important pianists of the 20th century and described himself as “the happiest man I ever met in my life”.
Magic Moments of Music – The Centenary Ring in Bayreuth 1976
Uproar, disruption, violent dispute – this was the response to the much-anticipated centenary of the Bayreuth Festival in 1976, which presented a new production of Richard Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen. But before Pierre Boulez could step up to the conductor’s podium and the curtain could rise on Bayreuth’s Green Hill for Patrice Chéreau’s bold new production, the festival was rocked by artistic and political upheaval. The film tells how one of the greatest scandals in opera went on to become one of the greatest musical moments in history.
Robert Wilson – The Beauty of the Mysterious
We know Winston Churchill’s saying about a “riddle wrapped inside an enigma”. Nothing could better describe Robert Wilson’s symbolic productions. What do minimalist fuel pumps have to do with Shakespeare’s sonnets? Why does Parsifal wear a triangular helmet? How did Alice from Wonderland end up on the Reeperbahn? Why and how does all this move many audience member to tears? This film sets out on a journey to uncover the mystery in the heart of Robert Wilson’s mysterious art – with the help of Tom Waits, Willem Dafoe, Marina Abramovic, Coco Rosie, and Rufus Wainwright.
Stuttgart Ballet Talks
A conversation about the origins and history of the ballet “The Taming of the Shrew”
with Tamas Detrich, Wolfgang Heinz and Reid Anderson
Magic Moments of Music – Anna Netrebko & Rolando Villazón sing La Traviata
The performance of La Traviata at the 2005 Salzburg Festival drew attention from all over the world: It is not the first time on stage together for Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazón in the leading roles – but it is here in Salzburg that they finally rise to superstardom. Each are brilliant on their own, but under the direction of Willy Decker, they shine above all as a couple, playing to the fantasies of the audience. Opera stars had never before been so up-close and personal, and had never been so present in the media. Previously unseen rehearsal scenes and interviews with Anna Netrebko, Rolando Villazon, Thomas Hampson and Willy Decker bring this magic moment of music to life.
Of Miracles and Superheroes – Documentary on the Stuttgart Ballet
The documentary traces the extraordinary success story of the Stuttgart Ballet, from its rise to fame as the “Stuttgart Ballet Miracle” during the Cranko era to the ensemble’s acclaim of today. Harold Woetzel accompanied the company for one year, capturing the season’s highlights as well as everyday life at the Stuttgart Ballet. Woetzel accompanied the company for one year, capturing the season’s highlights as well as everyday life at the Stuttgart Ballet. By interviewing choreographers, dancers and fans, Woetzel paints an overall picture of the current company as well as the fabled Ballet Miracle and discovers the ballet’s famous team spirit and its exceptional personalities – superheroes in the service of art.
Draw a Line
The documentary Draw a Line by Benedict Mirow accompanies Richard Siegal and Ballet of Difference during the rehearsal process for ON BODY up to the celebrated world premieres in Cologne and Munich. It shows how the diverse troupe blossoms into one of the best modern dance companies of today and it celebrates the creative talents behind Ballet of Difference. Mirow also shot in Africa to trace the African roots of Siegal’s style with which he transformed the German dance scene. A powerful film about artistic freedom, the rousing power of electronic music and the brutal passion, painful discipline and touching sensuality of dance.
Beyond Perfection – The pianist Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli
Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli – a name that provokes almost a sense of awe and intimidation, even among his piano-playing peers. It is a name that represents the highest degree of perfection, a quest for beauty that surpasses that of any other piano virtuoso. However Michelangeli also had a reputation for cancelling concerts at short notice and was consequently portrayed in the media as a somewhat neurotic artist. “Beyond Perfection – Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli“ is the result of a 30-year search that has resulted in unusual interviews with those who knew him, and has also uncovered a wealth of new archive material: We get to experience Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli as he has never been seen before – and more importantly, as he has never been heard before. We also witness the maestro’s struggle back to his former perfection after suffering a devastating heart attack. This homage to Michelangeli provides the first comprehensive and in-depth portrait of a brilliant pianist who achieved mythical status.
Barenboim or The Power of Music
On the occasion of the 75th birthday of Daniel Barenboim, one of the most renowned conductors and pianists of our times, the first ever all-embracing portrait of this outstanding musical personality has been created. Shot in Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile, Ramallah, Munich, Berlin and London, the film accompanies Maestro Barenboim for rehearsals and performances with his West-Eastern Divan Orchestra at the Teatro Colón and the Waldbühne Berlin. It looks behind the scenes of two milestone events in Berlin: the opening of the Pierre-Boulez-Saal and the grand re-opening of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden, where Barenboim performs together with the Staatskapelle Berlin. Martha Argerich, Zubin Mehta, Waltraud Meier, his son Michael Barenboim and director Wim Wenders give a very personal insight in the experiences they shared with Daniel Barenboim throughout the years.
Leonard Bernstein – A Genius Divided
One of the first US born conductors to receive worldwide fame, Leonard Bernstein is an exceptional composer and certainly not only due to The West Side Story. Instead of concentrating exclusively on his most famous work, Thomas von Steinaecker sets out to paint a complete picture of Bernstein. Thus, the documentary focusses on the American’s less known later works and on three compositions in particular: his Mass, the musical 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and the great final opera A Quiet Place. The film paints a vivid picture of the multitalented Bernstein, struggling with his role as composer and conductor, tackling the tension between successes and flops, between the politics of his time and his own liberal humanitarian claim. It looks back at Bernstein’s major achievements, such as his acclaimed conducting of Mahler and his involvement in the Young People’s Concerts, and it shows Bernstein’s work with young aspiring musicians as well as his political commitment. Joining the dots, Thomas von Steinaecker is cre ting a genuine portrait of Bernstein on his quest to his ultimate masterwork: the great American opera.