Sir Simon Rattle starts his tenure as the London Symphony Orchestra’s new Music Director with a concert at the prestigious BBC Proms – 40 years after his first appearance with the LSO, in October 1977 at the age of 22. The Royal Albert Hall’s cavernous space provides the perfect surroundings for this supersize scale performance of Arnold Schoenberg’s Gurrelieder. The force of over five hundred voices from the London Symphony Chorus, the CBSO Chorus, and Orfeó Català meet the LSO and a superb lineup of soloists, led by Rattle, putting on “a brilliantly blazing show” (The Daily Telegraph). Their BBC Proms performance is “an intoxicating embrace of the gigantic ebb and flow of Schoenberg’s score … an ecstatic celebration!” (The Guardian)
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.
Shostakovich, String Quartet No.8 in C minor, op.110
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 has recorded the complete quartets of Shostakovich and has frequently performed with Sviastoslav Richter, Emil Gilels, Leonid Kogan, David Oistrakh and Heinrich Neuhaus.
Shostakovich, String Quartet No.3 in F major, op.73
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 has recorded the complete quartets of Shostakovich and has frequently performed with Sviastoslav Richter, Emil Gilels, Leonid Kogan, David Oistrakh and Heinrich Neuhaus.
Sting – A Winter’s Night… Documentary
In ‘Sting – A Winter’s Night … Documentary’, the artist takes his producer-friend Robert Sadin – and the viewer – on a tour of the places where he grew up in and around Durham and Newcastle upon Tyne in northern England, and reunites with so.
Mozart: Don Giovanni
Filmed at the 1954 Salzburg Festival, this restored and technically enhanced recording of “Don Giovanni” is more than simply a superb performance of one of the world’s most lastingly popular operas with an exquisite cast led by Cesare Siepi, Elisabeth Grümmer and Lisa della Casa. It is the last visual document of Wilhelm Furtwängler’s art, the legacy of a great conductor. A giant among 20th-century conductors, Wilhelm Furtwängler was associated for many years with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. After the war, he discovered a new, exceptionally rewarding venue for his artistry at the Salzburg Festival. Beginning with “Fidelio” in 1948, Furtwängler ushered in a golden age of memorable performances in Salzburg.