“What seems to be the predominant impulse driving this music,” explains viola player Krzysztof Chorzelski of the Belcea Quartet, “is man’s yearning for freedom, the unquenchable desire to expand his limits and to learn the truth about himself in this process. Beethoven inspires us as performers to take up this challenge.” The Belcea Quartet’s response to this challenge took place in the Vienna Konzerthaus in May 2012. The ensemble embarked on the complete cycle of Beethoven string quartets, playing the whole program within twelve days, each concert featuring one work each from the early, middle and late quartets. Described as “a world-class ensemble” in The Guardian, this quartet brings a freshness to their interpretation of Beethoven’s string quartets, and draws forth a great range of colours, from sweetness to strength, from solemnity to impetuous force, while the cameras capture with great clarity the changing emotions of the players. Also available: DOCUMENTARY “On the Paths of the Beethoven String Quartets”. Directed by Jean Claude Mocik. Length approx. 52′.
Beethoven – The Complete Violin Sonatas
Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Sonatas for Piano and Violin” were almost all composed in a relatively quick succession between 1797 and 1803, in Beethoven’s early days, and are now part of the classic repertoire of the violin literature. Leonidas Kavakos’s and Enrico Pace’s interpretation of the complete Sonata Cycle set new standards, was nominated for the Grammy Award and was celebrated by the press: “Together these two make magic” (Buffalo News), “an ideally attuned, technically perfect duo” (Die
Presse).
Recital Arcadi Volodos
For the first time in over nine years, Arcadi Volodos has agreed to record an entire concert for TV again. Indeed, his recital at Vienna’s Musikverein, for which he has chosen works by Skryabin, Ravel, Schumann and Liszt, features a line-up of Romantic to early 20th-century heavyweights, which Volodos renders with his inimitable blend of ethereal lightness and forceful vigor. The recital begins with a selection of pieces by Alexander Skryabin, in which Volodos displays his phenomenal technique, culminating in the White Mass. Under Volodos’ hands, Maurice Ravel’s Valses nobles et sentimentales becomes “a kaleidoscope of transparent, gossamer colors” (Die Presse). While Volodos’ account of Schumann’s Waldszenen flashes with startling harmonic echoes of the Ravel piece, his rendition of Liszt’s Après une lecture du Dante from the Années de pèlerinage “radiates modernity” (Der Standard). The keyboard sensation provides a further example of his artistry in his encores, in which he demonstrates his talent for creating his own dazzling piano transcriptions of works by other composers.
Salzburg Festival 2025: L’Histoire du Soldat
“A stroke of genius” (FAZ): The Salzburg Festival has pulled off a sensational coup with The Soldier’s Tale at the Salzburg Marionette Theatre, founded in 1913 and a World Heritage Site. World-renowned painter and sculptor Georg Baselitz designed the puppets for Stravinsky’s fairy tale about a poor soldier who makes a pact with the devil. Dominique Horwitz as narrator, the magnificent chamber ensemble led by violin luminary Isabelle Faust, and the expressiveness of the marionettes make this a “musical and theatrical masterpiece” (Süddeutsche Zeitung).
Salzburg Festival 2021: Bruckner Symphony No. 7 (Chamber Version)
The first performance of Bruckner’s Seventh Symphony in Leipzig 1884 was one of the few unalloyed triumphs of his career. Eisler, Stein and Rankl, all three involved in making the arrangement, were all Schönberg pupils. Their chamber version allows us to hear Bruckner’s ideas with an extraordinary refreshing clarity – a most sympathetic and touching tribute to Bruckner by three of Vienna’s most progressive musical modernists in the 1920s. “A summit victory without heavy baggage. Monumental orchestral work in fabulous chamber sound: Renaud Capuçon and friends thrilled with Bruckner’s 7th Symphony… More intensity is hardly possible.” (Salzburger Nachrichten). PROGRAM: Bruckner: Symphony No. 7 (Chamber Version), arranged by Hanns Eisler, Erwin Stein, Karl Rankl
András Schiff – The Goldberg Variations
Sir Andras Schiff brings Bach’s monumental work for solo keyboard to the Royal Albert Hall and delivers a spellbinding account of the Goldberg Variations. “Schiff’s playing was buoyant and dazzling in a performance that underlined the cogency and integrity of his approach to this monumental work” stated The Guardian. Alone at the piano in the vastness of the Royal Albert Hall was Andras Schiff, who made no concessions to the capacity crowd: this was all about Bach’s astonishing variations. Schiff’s “command and awareness of the smaller-scale architectures were just as impressive as his mastery of the whole 30-variation span“ wrote the Telegraph.
BBC Proms 2017: András Schiff – The Well-Tempered Clavier (Part I)
Bach specialist Sir András Schiff returns to the BBC Proms in a Piano recital performing Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier (Part I). Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier represents one of Western music’s greatest achievements. Described as the ‘Old Testament’ of the keyboard repertoire, it represents a wealth of musical invention, ingenuity and delight. A supreme technical challenge for any performer, they also offer an astonishing experience for every listener – especially when they are played with the mastery and sensitivity of András Schiff. His recital of the first volume at the BBC Proms is “one of those unforgettable revelations” (Observer).
BBC Proms 2018: András Schiff – The Well-Tempered Clavier (Part II)
Often heralded as one of the finest Bach interpreters today, Sir András Schiff embarks on Book II of Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier at the prestigious BBC Proms – a supreme technical challenge for any performer and an astonishing experience for every listener, especially when they are played with the mastery and “gracious lucidity” (ArtsDesk) of Sir András Schiff. Schiff, “travelling deeper into the inexplicable mysteries of Bach’s music” (Observer), provides “masterly interpretations” (Bachtrack). His recital of the first volume at the BBC Proms was “one of those unforgettable revelations” (Observer).
Tchaikovsky, String Quartet No.1, op.11
Recorded in 1987, this program features the Borodin Quartet of Moscow. Founded in 1946, it concertized until 1955 under the name of Moscow Philharmonic Quartet. The ensemble is celebrated not only for its performances of Tchaikovsky but also, and especially, for its interpretations of Shostakovitch’s quartets. All of them have been recorded by the ensemble. The Borodin Quartet has frequently performed with Sviatoslav Richter, Emil Gilels, Leonid Kogan, David Oistrakh and Heinrich Neuhaus.
Tchaikovsky, String Quartet No.2, op.22
Recorded in 1987, this program features the Borodin Quartet of Moscow. Founded in 1946, it concertized until 1955 under the name of Moscow Philharmonic Quartet. The ensemble is celebrated not only for its performances of Tchaikovsky but also, and especially, for its interpretations of Shostakovitch’s quartets. All of them have been recorded by the ensemble. The Borodin Quartet has frequently performed with Sviatoslav Richter, Emil Gilels, Leonid Kogan, David Oistrakh and Heinrich Neuhaus.