A valuable historical account of American classical music icon Aaron Copland conducting some of his best known compositions.
Beethoven: Complete Symphonies [Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos/Danish National Symphony Orchestra] (TheaterByte Blu-ray Review)
A splendid send off for the veteran Frühbeck de Burgos in this box set of Beethoven’s symphonies and then some.
Klassik und Kalter Krieg: Musiker in Der DDR Blu-ray Review
A well-crafted documentary of how politics shaped the classical music scene in post-WW II East Germany
Mahler: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 4 [Paavo Järvi/Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra] Blu-ray Review
This set of two of Mahler’s most popular symphonies features some excellent vocalism and strong musical leadership from conductor Paavo Järvi.
Verdi & Wagner: The Odeonsplatz Concert [Villazon/Hampson] Blu-ray Review
The Odeonsplatz Concert is a nicely done outdoor concert with a star tenor and baritone and superb musical direction and videography.
Strauss: Don Juan [Wiener Philharmoniker/Böhm] Blu-ray Review
Relatively short fare for the money, this is primarily a rehearsal document with a brief main course in the form of Strauss’ tone poem
Haydn: Die Jahreszeiten/The Seasons [Harnoncourt/Wiener Philharmoniker] Blu-ray Review
Haydn’s Die Jahreszeiten receives a stellar performance from ancient music expert Nikolaus Harnoncourt
Petit: Notre-Dame de Paris [Teatro alla Scala] Blu-ray Review
A reprise of Roland Petit’s balletic version of Victor Hugo’s Hunchback of Notre Dame gets an amazing performance
Gorecki: Third Symphony [Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra/Gorecki] Blu-ray Review
The Gorecki Symphony No.3 ranks as one of the greatest symphonies of the last half-century.
Brahms: The Complete Symphonies [Thielemann/Staatskapelle Dresden] Blu-ray Review
Thielemann takes his Dresden Staatskapelle forces on a satisfying journey through all of Brahms’ symphonies with excellent results
