Advantages: Superb production, fascinating footage, great music Disadvantages: None whatsoever apart from wanting more
others. Some of the conductors featured are Sir John Barbirolli, Sir Thomas Beecham, Leonard Bernstein, Herbert von Karajan, Richard Strauss, Leopold Stokowski and Bruno Walter to single out a few names.
Right from the opening of the documentary you realise the high quality of the production values on this DVD as Beethoven's 5th Symphony segues seamlessly between different performances by very different conductors. Hearing the same piece conducted by Toscanini, von Karajan, Klemperer and Szell heightens the contrasts between the styles and interpretations of each of these highly individual maestri.
One of the big plus-points of this DVD is that along with copious extracts from performances and rehearsals, one is given complete performances of several works including Beethoven's "Egmont Overture" conducted by Serge Koussevitzky ...
Advantages: Superb historical performances and fascinating insights Disadvantages: Only that there are no bonus interviews this time
As I had enjoyed the first volume in this series so much, (see my review here -http://dvd.ciao.co.uk/ArtOfConductingGreatConductorsOfThePastDVD 5912901) it was without hesitation that I bought this - the second volume of "The Art of Conducting".
It is entitled "Legendary Conductors of a Golden Era" and concentrates on the work of 6 illustrious maestri from the past: Sergiu Celibidache; Wilhelm Furtwaengler; Erich Kleiber; Evgeny Mravinsky; Charles Munch and Willem Mengelberg. There are also rare archive film clips included of conductors Herbert von Karajan; Hermann Scherchen; Andre Cluytens and Vaclav Talich. Commentary on the work and personalities of the conductors featured is provided by record producer Peter Andry; violinists Yehudi Menuhin, Walter Barylli (from Vienna Philharmonic) and Alexander Barantschik ...
Product Information for "Hermann Abendroth Conducts" »
Product details
Title
Hermann Abendroth Conducts
Composer
(Joseph) Anton Bruckner (1824 - 1896); Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827)
Main Performer
George Szell; Diana Eustrati (Contralto (Female alto)); Karl Paul (Bass); Ludwig Suthaus (Tenor); Tilla Briem (Soprano)
Orchestra / Ensemble(s)
Berlin Symphony Orchestra
Date of Release
10/03/2003
Label / Distributor
Arioso / Codaex UK Ltd
Pieces in Set
2
Genre(s)
Orchestral
Stereo
Mono
SPAR Code
ADD
EAN
4560139890058
Work 1
Work Title
Symphony No. 5 in B flat
Excerpt(s)
1. Adagio - Allegro 2. Adagio (Sehr langsam)
Composer
(Joseph) Anton Bruckner (1824 - 1896)
Genre
Orchestral
Date Written
1875-76
Main Performer
George Szell
Opera Part(s)
George Szell
Work 2
Work Title
Symphony No. 9, 'Choral' in D minor, Op. 125
Excerpt(s)
2. Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso 3. Molto vivace 4. Adagio e cantabile_Andante moderato 5. Presto_Allegro assai 6. Ode to Joy; Joyful Joyful (Gospel arr of main melody)
Composer
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827)
Genre
Orchestral
Date Written
1822-4
Conductor
Hermann Abendroth
Orchestra / Ensemble
Berlin Symphony Orchestra
Main Performer
Diana Eustrati (Contralto (Female alto)), Karl Paul (Bass), Ludwig Suthaus (Tenor), Tilla Briem (Soprano)
Opera Part(s)
Diana Eustrati, Karl Paul, Ludwig Suthaus, Tilla Briem
