The internationally-acclaimed Czech maestro Václav Neumann (1920-95) conducts the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra in a concert of marches and polkas by Julius Fucik. This live recording comes from the Smetana Hall in Prague.
L’ enfant et les sortilèges
Jiri Kylián’s fantasy ballet about a naughty boy is set to an opera by Maurice Ravel, which the composer based on a libretto by Colette. Angry because he does not want to learn his lessons, the boy destroys his books and vandalises the room he is in. But his surroundings come to life, seeking revenge, and he finds himself in some tricky situations before the restoratio of normality. Lorin Maazel conducts the Orchestre National de Paris and a fine cast of young singers, and the enchanting scenery and costumes are by award-winning designer John MacFarlane. A short introduction by Kylián is included in this studio recording.
Peter Ackroyd
One of Britain’s most original contemporary writers, Peter Ackroyd talks about his gripping murder mystery Hawksmoor, in which he explores the enduring spirit of London and the nature of time. The programme includes extensive dramatised extracts.
Dvorák: The Wood Dove / Janácek: Taras Bulba
This concert, recorded live from the Smetana Hall in Prague features The Wood Dove Op. 110 by Antonín Dvorák and Taras Bulba by Leoš Janácek. Neumann conducts the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra.
The LaSalle Quartet Plays Music by Berg and Webern
In this live recording from the magnificent baroque library of the monastery at Polling, near Munich, the highly-acclaimed American LaSalle Quartet plays Berg’s String Quartet Op. 3, and a rondo and Six Bagatelles Op. 9 by Webern. An illuminating commentary by violinist Walter Levin on the Bagatelles is included in the programme.
Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
One of the greatest sopranos of the post-war decades, Schwarzkopf won acclaim on the operatic stage and as a lieder singer. Her career was moulded by Walter Legge, an innovative British recording executive who became her husband. He guided her towards her best repertoire – Mozart and Richard Strauss. In this film, which includes rare archive footage of Schwarzkopf in performance, she talks about her life and work and is seen conducting a masterclass on Hugo Wolf songs.
Mon Cher Papa
The extraordinary drawings of Maurice Sendak have made his picture books world-wide best-sellers. Throughout his working life his passion has been music, in particular, Mozart. The composer is his inspiration and his obsession. In this documentary, Sendak reveals the many ways in which his work is influenced by Mozart.
Marguerite Duras
The distinguished French novelist and film-maker, who died in 1996, talks frankly about the hardship and romance of her childhood in Indo-China. She discusses how her early experiences have haunted her life and why she has returned to them repeatedly in her work, most notably in her best-selling novel, The Lover, which won the coveted Prix Goncourt. The programme features clips from her films and illustrated readings from her books.
Jean Genet
A once-and-for-all glimpse into the unique story and thought processes of Jean Genet, one of France’s most interesting literary figures, who gave this first and only in-depth television interview just six months before his death in 1986. Genet remained unrepentant about his past as a thief and prostitute, and was still questioning society’s expectations. He had lost none of his power to overturn preconceptions and to confront and disturb his audience.
Wildlife
Wildlife is the result of an inspired artistic collaboration. Richard Alston’s choreography is danced to an exotic score, specially composed by Nigel Osborne, on a set dominated by spectacular moving kites by painter Richard Smith, lit by Peter Mumford who creates dramatic effects of light and shade. Recorded in studio, Wildlife is a strikingly original example of modern dance at its best. An introduction in which Alston, Osborne, Smith and Mumford talk about working together is available.