On the day of the open-air performance of Vincenzo Bellini’s opera ‘Norma’ in 1974, a severe storm is blowing through the city of Orange in southern France. The much-anticipated event may have to be called off at the last moment. All the while, in the spectacular Roman amphitheatre, nine thousand spectators await Montserrat Caballé in the title role of Norma. In the face of these adverse conditions, the singer and musicians nevertheless decide to perform. It will be a legendary evening of music. For this film, Montserrat Caballé’s brother, Carlos Caballé, has given the first interview since the death of his sister in October 2018. Carlos had accompanied her throughout her life and was also in attendance for the rehearsals and performances in Orange in 1974. Soprano Sonia Yoncheva and Olga Peretyatko tell of their admiration for “La Superba”, as Caballé was known to her fans. And just a few short years after this performance, Maria Callas would describe Caballé her as her true successor – high praise indeed.
Magic Moments of Music – Der Rosenkavalier by Herbert von Karajan
The Salzburg Festival is celebrating its 100th anniversary in the summer of 2020. Among the co-founders of the festival were the composer Richard Strauss and his librettist Hugo von Hofmannsthal. Their most popular work was without doubt the comic opera Der Rosenkavalier (The Knight of the Rose). In 1960, the newly constructed Great Festival Hall in Salzburg opened its doors to the public with a performance of this very same opera. On the conductor’s podium was Herbert von Karajan. The production was such a success that it was decided that it should be captured for posterity on 35mm film. The performers included Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, who is still considered by many as unmatched in the role of the Marschallin, and Anneliese Rothenberger. Among the artists returning to this 1960 opera for Great Moments in Music are Ioan Holender, conductor Franz Welser-Möst, singers Anna Prohaska and Günther Groissböck. Lastly, the episode accompanies André Heller as he fulfils a long-cherished dream: he is directing the new production of Der Rosenkavalier at the Berlin State Opera.
Lang Lang – Goldberg Variations – Finding the Inner Voice
At a time of personal change, star pianist Lang Lang fulfills a long-held dream and takes on one of the greatest challenges of the classical repertoire: Bach’s Goldberg Variations. Legendary in their length and difficulty, the 30 variations are technically demanding and when performed together, span almost 90 minutes. On this very intimate journey of rediscovery, Lang visits mentors, friends, and Bach experts, travelling through time and to various cities to find deeper connection to both the composer and the historic colossus of music literature. Follow in an open conversation as he develops his interpretation and encounter a new Lang Lang, who is more experienced, more thoughtful, more transparent, and more concentrated.
Three Tenors – From Caracalla to the World
It was the most successful classical concert: 30 years ago, Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and José Carreras performed together with Zubin Mehta for the first time as „3 Tenors“ in the thermal baths of Caracalla on the occasion of the Football World Cup in Italy. 1.6 billion spectators watched the concert worldwide – and it catapulted classical music into a completely new dimension. Just in time for the 30th anniversary, the film „Three Tenors – From Caracalla to the World“ shows the emotional highlights of the first concert and the sequel in Los Angeles. Previously unpublished backstage material shows the tenors unadorned and offers a fascinating insight into what takes place beyond the spotlight. The film takes a completely new look at the concert legend. For the first time, Placido Domingo, José Carreras, conductor Zubin Mehta and Luciano Pavarotti‘s widow Nicoletta Mantovani talk about José Carreras‘ struggles with leukemia, their rivalries and friendships, their spectacular contract poker and life as an opera star.
The Animated Story of Jenny Lind – A Swedish Nightingale
Step into an animated era and a sensational music story. As a teenager Jenny Lind became an international icon. Adored by Chopin, best friend with Victoria the Queen of England, Clara Schumann and in close relationship with the composer Felix Mendelssohn, the young singer made Opera popular all over the world. With prizewinning soprano Malin Byström and Evan Rogister conducting The Swedish Radio Symphony orchestra. Featuring young talent Annie Ternström and baritone Thomas Hampson as the inspired Narrator. Animations by acclaimed Jessica Laurén.
Magic Moments of Music – Martha Argerich in Warsaw
Martha Argerich’s appearance at the 1965 Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw marks the beginning of an incomparable career. With her flowing hair and impetuous and mysterious demeanour, the 24-year-old Argentinian conquers the hearts of everyone present. For much of the competition, however, her victory is far from certain. Her closest competitor is Arthur Moreira Lima from Brazil. It comes down to the final performance of Chopin’s First Piano Concerto, and a legend is born. The film includes excerpts from the dramatic musical duel between Martha Argerich and Arthur Moreira Lima, and from Martha Argerich’s interpretation of Chopin’s First Piano Concerto in Warsaw forty-five years later. We also hear from close friends of Martha Argerich, including the conductor Daniel Barenboim, pianists Gabriela Montero and Sophie Pacini, violinist Gidon Kremer, her competitor Arthur Moreira Lima, the Polish star pianist Rafal Blechacz, who won first prize in the Chopin Competition in 2005, and other people present at the competition in 1965.
For Elise – Beethoven’s Besteller
It’s one of the most popular pieces of classical music in the world. A catchy tune that won’t let go. It’s in every stack of piano music. It’s been used in music scores for Hollywood films like “Rosemarys Baby” or “Inglorious Basterds”. “For Elise” can be heard tinkling from mobile ringtones, telephone waiting loops, Fabergé eggs and toy pianos. The American rapper Nas based his hit “I can” on the melody of “For Elise”. How could this piece of music, just 928 notes in length, ever achieve such international distribution and celebrity? Within this documentary famous Pianists such as Alice Sara Ott, Gabriela Montero, Kit Armstrong, Richard Clayderman, composer Detlev Glanert and others give their interpretations of “For Elise”. The film sets off in search of the meaning and merit of “For Elise”. Prominent classical music experts and historians in Berlin, Vienna and Bonn work out the secrets of the magic that this best known and most frequently played of Beethoven’s pieces sparks anew in every generation around the world.
Beethoven’s Ninth – A Symphony for the World
To this day, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 is one of the most popular pieces of classical music in the world. But what is it about this global hit? The film charts the success of the symphony around the globe and encounters passionate amateur musicians and musical personalities. Watch as Greek conductor Teodor Currentzis works on Beethoven’s Ninth with his ensemble, MusicAeterna. Follow Chinese composer and Oscar winner Tan Dun as he creates a new composition inspired by the great Beethoven symphony. Experience the Orchestre Symphonique Kimbanguiste in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as they play the Ninth. Visit a favela in Brazil, where Beethovens’s music helps people get off the streets. Be amazed as a choir of 10,000 in Japan sings the final chorus of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, with great enthusiasm. Learn how Paul Whittaker helps make Beethoven accessible for deaf people. And find out how British DJ Gabriel Prokofiev performs a symphonic remix of Beethoven’s Ninth.
The Vision: Making of The 3 Tenors in Concert 1994
The Vision gives you the chance to look behind the scenes and watch as the story of The Making of The 3 Tenors in Concert 1994 unfolds. With Budapest’s Heroes Square as the inspiration, a baseball stadium is transformed into the greatest amphitheatre ever built, combining classical architecture with the beauty of nature. A vast array of contracts are agreed, the repertoire is chosen (changed and chosen again!), including medleys specially arranged by renowned composer Lalo Schifrin, an orchestra and chorus are prepared, sound and live recording equipment is installed… and Los Angeles’ busy air traffic is persuaded to keep away from the stadium during the concert. From an intimate charity concert in Monte Carlo in June, there is exclusive film of The 3 Tenors relaxing, rehearsing and in concert performing Libiamo ne lieti calici and Granada. And six weeks later in Los Angeles, Carreras, Domingo, Pavarotti and Mehta are captured at their final dress rehearsal before the momentous 1994 concert. Finally, as World Cup fever and tenor-mania grip Los Angeles simultaneously, four of classical music’s premier and most popular talents combine to perform La donna é mobile from the concert that enthralled the world.
The Three Lives of Clara Schumann
Clara Schumann’s life story has become a legend. Her austere childhood, her extraordinary talent as a pianist, her early love for the composer Robert Schumann, which she imposed on her father, and the upbringing of seven children provide enough material for myths and clichés. But who really was Clara Schumann? The documentary “The Three Lives of Clara Schumann” approaches her personality from different angles – through her letters and diaries, through her compositions, and through musicians who have intensively studied her – as interpreters of her music, as seekers in her biography, as time travellers.