In three chapters, this documentary tells Mahler’s story during the period when he is head of the Vienna Opera, in realist form and going against any romanticized images we may have of the subject. The film places the spectator in Mahler’s shoes and investigates using documented evidence (drawing from the latest research discoveries) and a visual sensuality, the ambiances, sounds and colours, trends, ebbs and flows, successes, and also the fanaticism and hostilities as Mahler felt and experienced them himself. Mahler’s portrait comes to life through the places he took possession of: his office at the Vienna Opera, his conductor’s podium, his summer home where he composed and his fetish objects: glasses, musical scores, manuscripts … . The idea is not to present a fixed image for the spectator, but to suggest the musician’s personality so that those watching can develop their own impressions and images of the musician. His voice only, is played by an actor. This is therefore not a docudrama of an actor incarnating Mahler, but a vision attempting to recreate the soul of a man, rather than an idol.
The Swan of Pesaro – Rossini reloaded
Known as “The Swan of Pesaro,” Rossini was the most popular composer of the first half of the 19th century. His highly ornate musical style revolutionized the art form, inaugurating the “Golden Century” of Italian opera. While his creative life was rather short, his success and influence was immense – Intellectual giants from Richard Wagner to Arthur Schopenhauer where amongst his admirers. In this documentary director Theo Roos explores the era of Belcanto and it’s main protagonist Rossini. Together with star-tenor Juan Diego Flórez, Rossini expert Alberto Zedda, soprano Joyce DiDonato and many others, he sheds light on the complex character of a composer known to the world as musical jester while his admirers showed deepest respect for the compelling emotions, the vivid diversity and the profound depths hidden in the lightness of his music.
The Mahler Project – Mahler, Symphony No.9 in D major
The Mahler Project: A fascinating documentary on the musical world of Gustav Mahler as seen by the two great musicians, and a recording of Mahler’s colossal Ninth. “Mahler created a new world with each of his symphonies (…) It is a fantastic journey for both of us”. With these few words, Daniel Barenboim sums up the vast scope of a project undertaken with his friend Pierre Boulez: two very different world-class conductors tackle all nine completed symphonies of Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) with one orchestra, the Staatskapelle Berlin. Performed as a complete cycle in Berlin, Vienna and New York, the concerts were a tremendous success. The Financial Times even wrote: “New York is going Mahler mad”.
Venedig
Michael Nyman in Progress
The film is about a very special moment in the famous composers artistic life. Composing with innovative minimalism for films as memorable as “The Draughtsman’s Contract”, “The Ogre”, “Man on Wire”, and most famously for Campion´s “The Piano”, he has reached an international audience. But now, Michael Nyman is about to become a filmmaker himself. At first it was documenting, „collecting moments“, Michael Nyman was „just curious about the visual world out there“ but right now this turns into an art process. Featuring unprecedented access to the composer and his working life, this film shows one of the great composers of our time in all his diversity and endless energy. From London to Berlin, in Mexico, Poland, the Netherlands and Portugal this film is also a journey through the musical world today. It shows Michael Nyman, the musician, in his concerts with the Michael Nyman Band and live collaborations with other internationally known musicians or orchestras. But throughout his journeys, this film discovers Nymans increasing passion for filming and photography. Witnessing the development of Nyman´s visual works from the very moment of inspiration right through to his editing of the footage and the combination of the visuals with his music, this film gives a unique insight into Michael Nyman´s very personal views, his thoughts and emotions; his world.
Madama Butterfly – Hope and longing at Bregenz Festival
Rigoletto on the Lake – The creation of a spectacle
The open-air floating stage in Bregenz is one of the most spectacular opera venues in the world requiring a long and careful planning. Three years of preparation and ten months of construction, a scenery with a weight of 140 metric tons and a massive head of almost 14 metres: In Philipp Stölzl’s Rigoletto the stage design becomes the protagonist. The documentary gives an insight into the formation process of his ground-breaking production – so far the most lavish opera of Bregenz Festival, heralding “a new era in matter of stage technique.” (APA)
I am Carmen
A spirited woman who loves her freedom: Carmen, the protagonist of Georges Bizet’s much loved opera of the same name, brings a whirlwind of emotions to the world’s biggest sea stage at the Bregenz Festival. The documentary I am Carmen looks behind the scenes of Kasper Holten’s spectacular production and shows British stage designer Es Devlin, responsible for the grandiose Carmen set with an impressive height of 21 metres, and costume designer Anja Vangh Kragh at work. Mezzo-soprano Gaëlle Arquez, who sings her Carmen “as if she had just invented Habanera & Co.” (Tagesspiegel), and festival director Elisabeth Sobotka talk about the opera, discuss the main characters Carmen and Don José and also touch upon the role of women in today’s society.
The Brahms Code
A music documentary with Paavo Järvi and the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen. The documentary by award winning film director Christian Berger explores the four symphonies by Johannes Brahms. Through the eyes of the musicians and their artistic director Paavo Järvi the viewer experiences the peaks of these romantic masterpieces and receives information for the better understanding.
Sounds Of The Universe
In 2018 the International Baroque Days of Melk Abbey, today one of the internationally most renowned early music festivals, celebrated their 40th anniversary. Director Volker Werner’s documentary focuses on the unique connection between the festival and Melk Abbey. Here a modern cultural institution meets the centuries-old religious living space of the monastery. By including eminent figures like Helmut Pilss, Alexander Hauer and Michael Schade, the documentary takes us on a journey from the present day to the beginnings of the Pentecost concerts and grants an unexpected look behind the scenes.