It is no secret that becoming a classical dancer takes extreme passion, talent and discipline. This documentary whisks its audience away into the fascinating world of classical ballet and shows young dancers from around the world on their journey to fulfilling their dreams. The film follows young dancers from the Ecole de Danse de l’Opéra National de Paris, the San Francisco Ballet School and Bavarian Junior Ballet Munich, highlighting the contrast between their struggles and the unifying love of music and dance. Through their stories, the documentary explores the challenges of achieving discipline and perfection in ballet, questioning the impact of teaching methods, power dynamics, and physical tolls on their bodies. The film offers an open look at ballet schools in Paris, San Francisco, and Munich, revealing stark differences in their approaches.
The Haydn Expedition
Paavo Järvi and the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen have a mission: to dispel the prejudice that Joseph Haydn’s music is boring – and so far, their passion seems to be contagious. The orchestra received the OPUS Klassik as well as the Gramophone Award in the category of best orchestra for their recording of Joseph Haydn’s London Symphonies 101 and 103. Filmed in Vienna, Bremen and Estonia, this documentary follows the conductor and orchestra as they work on their interpretation of Haydn’s London symphonies, giving insight into rehearsals, concerts and recording sessions. Paavo Järvi is a great champion of Haydn’s compositions and his enthusiasm for this often underrated composer shines through in this film.
Järvi & Sidorova – Münchner Philharmoniker
“Latvian soloist Ksenija Sidorova…has true star quality – and yet always lets her instrument take centre stage” (Münchner Merkur) The Münchner Philharmoniker concert features Estonian conductor Paavo Järvi and Latvian accordionist Ksenija Sidorova. The program includes Debussy’s early piece “Printemps,” showcasing the orchestra’s subtlety. Sidorova performs “Prophecy,” an accordion and orchestra work by Erkki-Sven Tüür, known for its virtuosity and emotional final movement. The concert concludes with Sibelius’ Symphony No. 5, highlighting its bright mid-summer qualities. PROGRAM: Debussy – “Printemps”, Suite (arr. by Henri Büsser); Tüür – “Prophecy”; Sibelius – Symphony No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 82
Odeonsplatz Concert 2024: Lahav Shani & Anne-Sophie Mutter
For over 20 years, the Odeonsplatz Concert has been an open-air highlight of the classical music summer, attracting over 16,000 viewers each year. In this concert event, conductor Lahav Shani leads the Münchner Philharmoniker in a varied programme “with his elegant, sensual and dance-like way of conducting…Shani is likely to win many points of favour with the concert audience. He has obviously won over the orchestra members long ago” (Münchner Merkur). Violin superstar Anne-Sophie Mutter shines in Saint-Saëns‘ virtuosic Introduction et Rondo capriccioso as well as a wonderful assortment of John Williams. “It’s been a long time since [the Odeonsplatz concert] has been this exciting” (Abendzeitung). PROGRAM: Weber – Overture to “Oberon”; Saint-Saëns – Introduction et Rondo capriccioso; Stravinsky – Firebird Suite (excerpt); Dukas – The Sorcerer’s Apprentice; Williams – Music from “The Witches of Eastwick”, “Sabrina”, “Harry Potter”, “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”, Imperial March from “Star Wars”
Christian Thielemann – Staatskapelle Berlin Inaugural Concert
In his inaugural concert as chief music director of Staatsoper Unter den Linden and Staatskapelle Berlin, Christian Thielemann showcases his versatility. He performs Mendelssohn’s seldom-played Piano Concerto No. 2 with pianist Igor Levit, described as having a “warm, soft, full-bodied” sound. The concert concludes with Schönberg’s Pelleas und Melisande, praised for its emotional depth and Thielemann’s ability to bring out the brass at the perfect moment, generating powerful, transparent music that evokes strong feelings. “It was evident how well Igor Levit and Christian Thielemann work together. Both build up great pressure and tension, seem to literally spur each other on, and the audience cheered”(Bild) PROGRAM: Moussa – Elysium; Mendelssohn – Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 40; Schönberg – Pelleas und Melisande, Op. 5
Lahav Shani conducts Bach and Bruckner
The Münchner Philharmoniker and Lahav Shani go together like, well, like the Münchner Philharmoniker and Anton Bruckner! The orchestra’s Bruckner tradition goes back to 1932, when the original version of Symphony No. 9 in D minor was premiered in Munich. With this performance of the Ninth, it is evident that Shani wants to keep this tradition alive with this orchestra: “Long silence after the last note, then standing ovations. Not for a long time has Bruckner been heard here so well, so fulfilled, so logically” (Müncher Merkur). The other half of the concert is dedicated to Bach, as Shani himself took a seat at the grand piano to play the piano concerto No. 1 in D minor: “Shani does not play with a hard, crystalline touch, but rather with a velvety one, but above all with a natural virtuosity. This is music among friends – a sentiment felt by the audience” (Münchner Merkur). PROGRAM: Bruckner – Symphony n. 9; Bach – Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor
Mehta conducts Brahms
“Such a colourful, substantial, supple legato has not been heard even from this orchestra for a long time” (Münchner Abendzeitung) “The two solo instruments seemed to merge into one voice at times, but at the same time were given ample opportunity to demonstrate their individual virtuosic qualities” (BR Klassik) Zubin Mehta’s performance of Brahms’ 3rd Symphony with the Münchner Philharmoniker showcases his mastery and control over the orchestra through minimalist gestures. The concert features soloists Lisa Batiashvili and Gautier Capuçon, who deliver a rich interpretation of the double concerto, blending their distinctive sounds harmoniously. PROGRAM: Brahms – Concerto for violin, cello and orchestra in A minor, Op. 102; Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 90
Festive Advent Concert at the Frauenkirche Dresden 2024
The Advent concerts have long become a tradition, and numerous internationally renowned artists have since accepted the invitation to the annual Advent concert. For this production, the audience can look forward to the Canadian mezzo-soprano Emily D’Angelo, who is on stage with the Saxon State Opera Chorus and the Saxon Staatskapelle under the baton of Riccardo Minasi. In addition to soprano Nikola Hillebrand, another prominent guest is Thomas Quasthoff, who celebrates his fiftieth stage anniversary this year.
An American Night from the Semperoper Dresden
Karina Canellakis and the Staatskapelle Dresden whisk the audience away to the land of opportunity with melodies from Broadway to Hollywood. With energetic fervor, the conductor starts the evening with the overture to Bernstein’s Candide and the concert suite No. 1 from West Side Story. Soprano Fatma Said (“beautifully lyrical” – Der Merker) and tenor Jonah Hopkins sung Tony and Maria “with great feeling and intimacy” (Der Merker). Pianist Kirill Gerstein interprets Gershwin’s piano concerto in F major with great feeling for “rhythmic and jazzy peculiarities” (Der Merker). Arriving firmly on Hollywood turf with works by Steiner and Korngold, the concert ends with one last excursion to the musical stage with Cole Porter’s “Wunderbar” from Kiss Me, Kate.
Beethoven‘s Nine: Ode to Humanity
In early 2023, filmmaker Larry Weinstein set out to make a documentary about Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. It was supposed to be about how far we have come in the two undred years since it was written. But when world events pull Larry into his own film, the question becomes a deeply personal one. Beethoven’s Nine is a documentary about music, but also about war and hope. It follows nine unique individuals, including Ukrainian musicians, a deaf composer, a Polish rock star, a best-selling author, a legendary cartoonist and Weinstein himself, as they try to better understand the legacy of Beethoven’s Ninth, the composer’s own struggles, the inspiration music can provide and how humanity continues to look for hope even in the darkest times.