Christmas in the Erzgebirge is one of Saxony’s most treasurable cultural traditions. The region’s centuries old mining industry has produced a unique response to Christmas, which is celebrated by means of numerous customs in which music plays a decisive role. The Renaissance town of Marienberg at the very heart of the historic Erzgebirge is the setting for a concert of classical and seasonal works performed by Germany’s only classical orchestra made up exclusively of wind instruments, the Sächsische Bläserphilharmonie (Saxon Wind Philharmonic). They were joined by the Rundfunk Jugendchor Wernigerode (Wernigerode Radio Youth Choir) and German soprano Ruth Ziesak. —– Works by Felix MENDELSSOHN-BARTHOLDY, Engelbert HUMPERDINCK, Pjotr Iljitsch TCHAIKOWSKY and Richard WAGNER.
Crossing Borders: Daniel Barenboim
This three-part documentary accompanies outstanding artist Daniel Barenboim on his quest into the social meaning of music and the secrets of sound. Part 1: Music and Politics (55′ min) // Part 2: Musical Approaches (28′ min) // Part 3: Part 3 Music and Taboo (28′ min / UPCOMING 58′ min).
800 Years St. Thomas Boys Choir: The Saint Matthew Passion
In 2012, one of the finest boys’ choirs in the world, the St. Thomas Boys Choir Leipzig, celebrated its 800th anniversary. An almost unbelievable period of time, if one considers that the choir outlasted all ups and downs of European history, maintaining its unbroken traditions over the centuries and holding onto established principles such as the inclusion of the elder boys in the education of the younger ones. A musical event of very particular significance during the anniversary celebration, is the traditional performance of one of Bach’s Passions in St. Thomas Church in the run-up to Easter.
2CELLOS – Live at Arena Zagreb
‘… Go and see them live, because it really is astonishing! I can’t remember seeing anything as exciting as them since I saw Jimi Hendrix live back in the 60’s…’ (Elton John). The two young cellists, Luka Sulic from Slovenia, and Stjepan Hauser from Croatia, known as 2CELLOS, achieved sensational success by taking the cello to a new level and breaking the boundaries between different genres of music. Their unique cello version of Michael Jackson’s ‘Smooth Criminal’ took the world by storm. Within only a week, this YouTube video became a huge viral sensation leading to an invitation to join Elton John on his worldwide tour.
Andrea Bocelli – Love in Portofino
The world’s most beloved Tenor sings the world’s most romantic songs in the world’s most beautiful setting. Recorded live in front of an intimate invited audience Andrea Bocelli performs the most famous love songs from the Piazzetta in Italy’s romantic Portofino harbour. During the evening, Bocelli shares the stage with a sensational ensemble of supporting talent, including Caroline Campbell on violin, German star Helene Fischer and Brazilian singer-songwriter Sandy on vocals, Chris Botti playing trumpet, and Bocelli’s fiancée Veronica Berti joining him for a duet of Something Stupid, all backed by a 40 piece orchestra & rhythm section.
Zucchero – La Sesión Cubana
Legendary Italian singer-songwriter Zucchero presenting his new album “La sesión cubana” at a concert in Havanna attended by over 70.000 people.
The Colón Ring – Wagner in Buenos Aires
To honor Richard Wagner’s 200th birthday, Latin America’s famous opera house in Buenos Aires hosts a one-of-a-kind project: Performing Wagner’s powerful music drama “The Ring of the Nibelung” on stage in a single day. The documentary film “Der Colón Ring – Wagner in Buenos Aires” (The Colón Ring – Wagner in Buenos Aires), directed by Hans Christoph von Bock, follows each step of the unusual production. The film aims to entertain viewers while showing them how Wagner’s vision of “The Ring of the Nibelung” emerges as a Gesamtkunstwerk and an all-encompassing live theater experience.
‘Fiesta del Tango’ from Buenos Aires
The most renowned stars of the Argentinean tango scene performing in the famous ballroom ‘El Palacio’ in Buenos Aires, where tango legend Carlos Gardel accomplished his greatest successes in the twenties and thirties of the last century. The tango show features ‘Otros Aires’, ‘Café de los Maestros’, former lead singer of the Astor Piazzolla Band, Teresa Parodi, and Rodolfo Mederos. The artists are accompanied with the finest dancing stars such as ‘Eduardo y Gloria’.
800 Years St. Thomas Boys Choir
In 2012 the St. Thomas Boys Choir Leipzig celebrated its 800th birthday. An almost unbelievable period of time, if one considers that the choir outlasted all political systems, maintaining its unbroken traditions over the centuries, and was thus able to hold onto established principles such as the inclusion of the elder boys in the education of the younger ones. The film accompanied the St. Thomas Boys Choir and their choir master Georg Christoph Biller over the period of one year, immersing the audience in a unique world between motet, boarding school and football pitch, into a life that is distinguished by success and pressure to perform, doubts and pride, homesickness and genuine friendship.
Solti – Journey of a Lifetime
Solti’s professional advancement starts at a time when Germany was on its knees. The film depicts this situation by including historical video documents. Only a couple of hours before his death on 5th September 1997, he made his last corrections for the book. By using a narrator who reads excerpts of his biography, Solti is virtually given a voice in this film. The interview partners add an important dimension to the film. All of them were very well acquainted with Solti and have fascinating stories to tell. In regards to capturing performances, Solti was as productive as Bernstein and Karajan. The archives of the ARD network list about 120 TV productions, interviews, rehearsals. Further rich sources are the archives of BR, HR, SWR, ORF, Unitel and the BBC.