INTRODUCING/DISCOVERING - ABBADO, ARGERICH, JANSONS, CHAILLY, MASUR and MORE (6 DVDS)

All DVDs include a complete performance of the work!

DVD 1

Introducing Beethoven 9th Symphony
Host: Wulf Konold | Swedish Radio Choir, Eric Ericsson Chamber Choir, Karita Mattila, Violeta Urmana, Thomas Moser, Eike Wilm-Schulte
Berliner Philharmoniker
Claudio Abbado

Renowned scholar Wulf Konold discusses Beethoven’s life and the circumstances surrounding the composition of the Ninth Symphony.

DVD 2

Introducing Haydn: Symphony No. 94

Berlin Philharmonic, Mariss Jansons

Well-known musicologist and pianist Robert Levin discusses Haydn’s life and the circumstances surrounding the composition of the ‘Surprise’ Symphony. His analysis of each movement in turn, drawing out the wit and warm humour of the work through plentiful musical examples, helps to bring this beloved masterpiece vividly to life.

DVD 3

Discovering Masterpieces of Classical Music - Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto
Frank Michael Erben violin
Gewandhausorchester Leipzig
Kurt Masur

With his famous Violin Concerto in E minor the composer forged a link between Classicism and Romanticism. Frank Michael Erben and the musicologist Armin Koch reveal how the composer combined the best of both worlds and created a musically rich and virtuoso piece that remains a popular favourite with audiences until today.

DVD 4

Discovering Masterpieces of Classical Music - Schumann: Piano Concerto
Martha Argerich piano
Gewandhausorchester Leipzig
Riccardo Chailly

With its underlying lyrically emotional mood, Schumann’s Piano Concerto is one of the most popular of all concertos. Hearing Martha Argerich playing this piece is an experience. She is especially at home with the lyrical repertoire and her consummate playing is sheer and distinguished artistry. In the documentary part of the series, music historian Wulf Konold explains how the composer forged a new path in writing it and how the solo instrument and the orchestra create a particularly intense relationship.

DVD 5

Introducing Beethoven Symphony No. 5
Claudio Abbado, Berliner Philharmoniker, Host: Wulf Kunold | Documentary written by Martin Feil, Directed by Angelika Stiehler, Produced by Paul Smaczny | Günter Atteln | Performance recorded live at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa
Berliner Philharmoniker
Claudio Abbado

Renowned scholar Wulf Konold discusses Beethoven’s life and the circumstances surrounding the composition of the Fifth Symphony.

DVD 6

Introducing Mahler Symphony No. 5
Claudio Abbado, Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Host: Jeremy Barham | Documentary written by Martin Feil, Directed by Angelika Stiehler, Produced by Paul Smaczny & Günter Atteln | Performance recorded live at the 2004 Lucerne Festival, Directed by Michael Beyer, Produced by Paul Smaczny