In this programme, recorded in High Definition Television at the Alte Oper Frankfurt, Krzysztof Penederecki, Poland’s leading contemporary composer, conducts the Sinfonietta Cracovia in performances of four of his own works: Sinfonietta for Strings (1992), Viola Concerto (1982/83), Capriccio for Oboe and Strings (1964), and Concerto for Flute and Chamber Orchestra (1992).
Te Deum
Following his comeback performance at the Vienna State Opera in 1988, this gala concert from the Alte Oper Frankfurt given on September 12, 1992, was one in a series of highly acclaimed performances that marked José Carreras’ return to the concert platform after his battle against leukaemia in 1987/88. Providing the high musical and artistic level of this evening, alongside Carreras are the Vienna Philharmonic – celebrating ist 150th anniversary –, the Vienna State Opera Chorus, the Prague Philharmonic Choir and the Tölzer Boys Choir, all under the baton of conductor Claudio Abbado.
The Tower of Dreams – The Music of Charles Koechlin
The music of Charles Koechlin (1867-1950) is as various and surprising as the passions which fired him: travel, medieval music, Bach, Socialism, film stars, stereoscopic photography and Rudyard Kipling, to name but a few. This film, a mixture of fact and fantasy, shows the figure of the composer wandering through an imaginary house in which each room reveals a new facet of his many loves.
Kaguyahime
Kaguyahime is one of Japan’s oldest fairytales. The story of the mysterious Moon Princess inspired Jirí Kylián to create a full-length ballet and to commission a score from the Japanese composer Maki Ishii. Through ist use of western percussion instruments and Japanese drums, the work combines both occidental and oriental elements, ist rhythmic vitality providing a musical structure for the poetic tale. Woodwind instruments extend the tonal colour, as does the use of traditional Gagaku music from the Japanese court.
When Jirí Kylián first discovered the fairytale, he found two compelling reasons to choreograph it. First, he was interested in the way the story combines realistic and supernatural elements as only fairytales can; and secondly, he was fascinated by what the tale reveals of Japanese culture through the interplay of the earth and the moon.
Jirí Kylian
The acclaimed Czech choreographer Jirí Kylián worked with the Nederlands Dans Theater for over twenty years and, under his direction the company established an international reputation. This intimate portrait charts his career, shows him at work, illustrates the development of his choreography with extensive extracts from his ballets, and includes archive film and contributions from colleagues. Kylián also talks about the evolution of his work.
Bernard Haitink
Bernard Haitink, a leading figure in international concert halls and opera houses, is one of the most sought-after Mahler and Bruckner conductors of our time. This biographical documentary follows him as he prepares for and conducts concerts, operas, sound and television recordings. Music highlights include extracts from works by Bruckner, Mahler, Mozart, Schubert and Wagner. Archive material illustrates his long and illustrious career and maestro Haitink talks at length about his life, his music and conducting.
Songs of Experience – Sir Michael Tippett at 85
This profile of Sir Michael Tippett (1905-98), one of Britain’s foremost twentieth-century composers, was made with him during the rehearsals and first performances of his opera New Year. He talks about many of the important events in his life and about the sources of his inspiration, above all, his longing for peace and beauty in a world torn by violence and oppression. Tippett describes his approach to composition and is seen rehearsing his Triple Concerto for a planned recording.
All Night Vigil
Recorded live from London’s Royal Albert Hall, Valery Polyansky conducts the USSR Ministry of Culture Chamber Choir, with soloists Tatiana Zheranzhe (contralto) and Victor Radkevich (tenor), in a performance of Rachmaninov’s sublime sacred work. Written before Rachmaninov went into exile, the work is in Russian and scored for unaccompanied choir, since the Orthodox Church does not permit instrumental accompaniment.
The Mystery of Dr Martinu
This Ken Russell’s biopic about Bohuslav Martinu (1890-1959) takes the form of a psychological detective story. Using a kaleidoscope of images and references, Russell searches out the Czech composer’s influences and obsessions, and traces his quest for a true voice. He conjures up Martinu’s inner-life and dreams and dramatises episodes with his wife and colleagues in Czechoslovakia, Paris and the USA. Patrick Ryecart features as Martinu and Hannah King as Slava.
Charles Dickens
This programme explores the world of the great novelist Charles Dickens, through the eyes of his biographer Peter Ackroyd. Weaving through the many phases of Dickens’ life, this film shows the recurrent influence of his childhood on his obsessive vision of darkness and light. The mercurial actor John Sessions assumes the role of the writer in a virtuoso performance recalling Dickens’ celebrated Public Readings.