DVD
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Charles Munch / Boston Symphony Orchestra
MP4 Video Download:While the material has been restored using the greatest care and state-of-the-art techniques, certain visual artefacts and distortions remain in some instances due to the age of the film. Despite this, it remains of exceptional musical interest and historic value and is released here for the first time on DVD. A great admirer of Schumann’s Second Symphony, Charles Munch programmed the work in four different Boston Symphony Orchestra seasons, taking it on tour on each occasion. He never recorded the symphony with the BSO nor with any other orchestra, which makes this exciting DVD a new addition to his discography. The ICA Classics Legacy series represents an historic account of performances by some of the world’s greatest artists. This DVD features some of the earliest televised concerts with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and their Music Director, Charles Munch. -
Margot Fonteyn / Michael Somes
SLEEPING BEAUTY (extracts)
STUDIO RECORDING, TRANSMITTED 20 DECEMBER 1959
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SWAN LAKE (extracts)
STUDIO RECORDING, TRANSMITTED 9 JUNE 1954
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THE NUTCRACKER (Act II)
STUDIO RECORDING, TRANSMITTED 21 DECEMBER 1958
Royal Opera House Orchestra, John Lanchbery
London Philharmonic Orchestra, Robert Irving
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Hugo Rignold -
Borodin Quartet
MP4 Video Download:Described as ‘the quartet world’s most distinguished ensemble’, the Borodin Quartet celebrated its 65th anniversary with a sold out concert at the Wigmore Hall, London, a week before this live recording from the Cité de la Musique in Paris. Following the performance the Financial Times wrote that ‘today’s Borodin Quartet has lost nothing of its old authority.’ The quartet plays with warmth, commitment and obvious enjoyment. -
Klaus Tennstedt
MAHLER
Symphony No.5
London Philharmonic Orchestra
ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL, LONDON, 13 DECEMBER 1988 -
Charles Munch / Boston Symphony Orchestra
MP4 Video Download:Characteristically lively renditions, Charles Munch’s interpretations of both Mendelssohn Symphonies are energetic and precise with excellent articulation from the Boston Symphony Orchestra. -
André Previn
Rachmaninov – The Bells
Sheila Armstrong, Robert Tear, John Shirley-Quirk
London Symphony Chorus & Orchestra
ROYAL ALBERT HALL, LONDON, 26 JULY 1973
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Prokofiev – Lieutenant Kijé
LONDON, 24 APRIL 1977
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Bernstein – Candide – Overture
ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL, LONDON, 25 NOVEMBER 1971
London Symphony Orchestra -
Sir Adrian Boult
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
Symphony No.8
Job: A Masque for Dancing
London Philharmonic Orchestra
ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL, LONDON, 12 OCTOBER 1972 -
Charles Munch / Boston Symphony Orchestra
MP4 Video Download:Munch gave extensive performances of Brahms’ symphonies 1 and 2 during his time at the Boston Symphony, particularly during the orchestra’s many national and international tours. His readings of both works exhibit his characteristic energy and enthusiasm, which, coupled with the BSO’s distinctive sound, makes for a captivating DVD. -
Charles Munch / Boston Symphony Orchestra
MP4 Video Download:Programmed by Munch during his years at the Boston Symphony but never recorded, his renderings of the two works featured on this DVD are exciting and spontaneous with the kind of precision and flair we have come to expect from the BSO under the buoyant direction of their charismatic Music Director. -
Mstislav Rostropovich / Benjamin Britten
Tchaikovsky
Rococo Variations
Pezzo capriccioso
Romeo and Juliet Overture
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Britten
Gloriana (extracts)
Peter Pears
The Aldeburgh Festival Singers
English Chamber Orchestra -
Charles Munch / Boston Symphony Orchestra
MP4 Video Download:This performance of extracts from The Creatures of Prometheus is a rare one, Munch having only conducted the ballet at the BSO in one season. He breathes life into his performances of Symphonies No.4 and 5, which are executed with excitement, exuberance and panache. -
Charles Munch / Boston Symphony Orchestra
MP4 Video Download:All three works featured on this DVD are well suited to Munch and his Alsatian heritage. He received prolonged and enthusiastic applause from the Boston audience following the performance of the Franck Symphony, whilst the Fauré shows him as a true master of French music.