Mozart, who was also an accomplished violinist, wrote all of his five violin concertos in Salzburg in 1775, apparently for his own personal use. Their style can best be described as cosmopolitan and reflects the many musical currents he had been exposed to while on his travels in Italy and elsewhere. Aristocratic, suave, witty, wonderfully melodious, they are dazzling gems that conceal an inner core of challenging material that can be truly mastered only by the very best violinists.
Mozart, Violin Concerto No.5 in A major, K.219
Mozart, who was also an accomplished violinist, wrote all of his five violin concertos in Salzburg in 1775, apparently for his own personal use. Their style can best be described as cosmopolitan and reflects the many musical currents he had been exposed to while on his travels in Italy and elsewhere. Aristocratic, suave, witty, wonderfully melodious, they are dazzling gems that conceal an inner core of challenging material that can be truly mastered only by the very best violinists.
Roberto Devereux
London, 1601: love, desire and a death sentence at the English royal court – an ideal combination for an Italian grand opera. And Gaetano Donizetti’s Roberto Devereux could hardly be grander or more fit for a queen. The ideal showcase for Edita Gruberova! The prima donna assoluta of bel canto triumphs in this rarely performed work. In Christof Loy’s production at Munich’s National Theater, Edita Gruberova sings the role of Queen Elizabeth I. Friedrich Haider conducts the chorus and orchestra of the Bavarian State Opera; the HDTV recording is directed by Emmy award winner Brian Large.
Portrait Albrecht Mayer – The Magic of the Oboe
Unlike the piano, the violin or even the flute, the oboe is a relatively rare instrument for a solo career. And when a soloist such as Albrecht Mayer plays the oboe, one wishes composers had written more works for this sweetly mellow instrument. Critics write about the “divine spark” that inspires his playing, and about the “miraculous oboe” that turns into “an instrument of seduction.” With his particularly warm tone and exceptionally broad palette of nuances, it’s no surprise that Albrecht Mayer is one of today’s most sought-after international oboists. In this documentary portrait of the oboist, we retrace the musician’s impressive career and witness some of its many high points.
The Vatican Concert 2005 – In Honor of Pope Benedikt XVI
Recorded live in the presence of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in Vatican City, this profoundly moving and inspiring concert is a true musical landmark. While the music ranges from the grand to the sublime, the atmosphere retains the warmth and intimacy of a “family reunion”: both the Munich Philharmonic and the boys’ chorus “Regensburger Domspatzen” are world-renowned institutions from the Pope’s native Germany and from cities closely connected with the former Cardinal Ratzinger. Among the works performed is a Sanctus from a mass written by Georg Ratzinger, the Pope’s brother and one-time director of the “Regensburger Domspatzen”. Under the direction of its distinguished young principal conductor Christian Thielemann, the Munich Philharmonic is joined by the boys’ chorus (which also sings a cappella works led by Georg Büchner) in music by Liszt, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Palestrina, Pfitzner, Verdi, Wagner and Georg Ratzinger. The musical event is rounded off with an address to the listeners and performers by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.
Tutto Verdi – Ernani
To Tulsa and Back – On Tour with J.J. Cale
He was the most unpretentious man in pop music. Success seemed to come to him, only when he wanted it and his definition of success was unlike any other performers. He made a fortune writing songs, but lived for years in a trailer hiding from the public. All of his records have reached cult status. They called him the Howard Hughes of the music world. A legend wrapped in mystery. Eric Clapton had huge hits with Cale’s After Midnight and Cocaine. Johnny Cash, the Allman Brothers, Brian Ferry, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Santana, Deep Purple and many more covered his songs. For Eric Clapton Cale is the person he admires most and the only other musician he would like to be. Cale created the Tulsa Sound, a laid back mix of Rock`n’ Roll, Country, Blues and Jazz and is one of the most influential artists of the last three decades. Dire Straits admit to have built up their sound upon his laid back Blues-Rock. Among his devoted fans are musicians of all generations as Willy Nelson, Tom Petty and Widespread Panic. He is the musician of the musicians. For the first time, Cale agreed to have a film made on him. The documentary follows him and his band through six American states on his To Tulsa and Back Tour.
Jacques Loussier plays Avo Session
In the early 50s Jacques Loussier started to play a Bach fugue in a fleet-footed, flowing style, and he started to improvise on it. A good fifty years have passed since then, and Jacques Loussier’s «Play Bach» concept has become a worldwide phenomenon. His set list for the AVO SESSION Basel looks something like this: Johann Sebastian Bach (trio), Frédérique Chopin (solo).
Berlin Opera Night 2005
Each year, the traditional Festive Opera Gala combines real musical delight and the joy of charity. The gala, which is organised for the benefit of the German AIDS-Fund, has for years been one of the social highlights on the German agenda. The soloists of the 2005 Gala are Lucia Aliberti, Marcelo Álvarez, Lado Ataneli, Maria Guleghina, Michaela Kaune and Anatoli Kotscherga.