Sir Colin Davis conducts the Bavarian Radio Symphony Chorus and Orchestra in a performance of Sir Michael Tippett’s oratorio. Written during the years before the Second World War, when Tippett’s political and social beliefs gained momentum, it is a compassionate outcry against injustice and persecution, and is enhanced by the use of Negro spirituals.
The Merry Widow
Prima ballerina Karen Kain stars as the widow Hanna Glawari in this specially-staged recording of Ronald Hynd’s three-act ballet, set to the music of Franz Lehár, adapted by John Lanchbery. This dazzling production captures perfectly the gaiety and elegance of Parisian high society at the turn of the nineteenth century, the setting for Lehár’s charming tale of political and amorous intrigue. The other principal roles are danced by John Meehan, Raymond Smith and Yoko Ichino.
Karl Amadeus Hartmann
This profile of the German composer Karl Amadeus Hartmann (1905-63) combines documentary and Performance footage. It looks at his championship of new music with the Musica Viva concerts he organised in Munich after 1945, and includes extensive excerpts from his opera Des Simplicius Simplicissimus Jugend, as well as his Symphonies No. 6 and No. 8.
George Grosz
This dramatisation of the life of George Grosz (1893-1959) uses pointed illustration from his work as well as archive film. His own words and those of his contemporaries form a narration. Best-known for his savage caricatures of the enemies of the Weimar Republic, he displayed a morbid (and ambivalent) fascination for his country’s moral decay. A dreamer and a bourgeois at heart, he spent thirty anti-climactic years in the USA, sinking into cynicism, alcoholism and poverty.
The Aida File
This film chronicles the life and times of Verdi and the history of one of his best-loved operas. It includes extensive extracts from the triumphant La Scala production starring Pavarotti, archive film of notable Aida productions from the past, and contributions from some of the great singers who have a special affection for this work – Pavarotti, Carlo Bergonzi, Grace Bumbry and Eva Turner among them.
Kreutzer Sonata – String Quartet No. 1
In the last ten years of his life, Leoš Janácek enjoyed a glorious burst of creativity. His inspiration was partly derived from his unconsummated love for a young married woman – Kamill Stoesslova – whom he met in 1917 and to whom he wrote over six hundred letters. The title of Intimate Pages that was given to String Quartet No. 2 refers to these love letters. This recording, featuring the international-acclaimed Czech Panocha Quartet, was made at the University in Prague.
Karl Münchinger
In the aftermath of the Second World War, conductor Karl Münchinger (1915-90) set up the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra. Under his guidance, the orchestra became world famous for ist consummately modern rendition of baroque music, attracting a new interest in eighteenth-century composers. In this profile, made five years before his death, Münchinger talks about his methods and style and is Seen rehearsing and performing music by Mozart, Pergolesi and Bach.
The Caravaggio Conspiracy
To research a book on art theft, journalist Peter Watson assumed the identity of a shady art dealer for almost three years. In this guise and with the help of Sotheby’s, Christie’s and the police, he pursued stolen paintings and was instrumental in the recovery of a del Sarto and a Bronzino – though not the Caravaggio he was hunting. This film, shot in London, Italy and New York, tells the story through extensive reconstructions.
Ma Vlást (My Homeland)
Towards the end of his life, the composer Bedrich Smetana (1824-84) wrote a cycle of symphonic poems, Má Vlast (My Country), a vivid, patriotic musical portait of his homeland, Bohemia. This superb recording features the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra under the baton of the Czech conductor Rafael Kubelik.
Raoul Dufy
Dufy (1877-1953) is perhaps best-known for his colourful and joyous paintings but he also produced a dazzling array of ceramics, wall-hangings, dress fabrics and furniture designs. This film, which includes interviews with patrons, dealers and models who knew Dufy puts the case that he was one of the finest draughtsmen of the twentieth century a designer whose influence is still much in evidence and a painter of genius to rank alongside Matisse and Léger.