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Paul Tortelier at the BBC
To mark the centenary of the celebrated French cellist Paul Tortelier (born 21st March 1914), the BBC drew from their archives a selection of films and documents that spanned his whole career and testified to the exceptional rapport he enjoyed with Britain. The programme “Paul Tortelier at the BBC” is here reproduced as a DVD and offers a portrait of one of the truly great cellists.
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Legendary Conductors of The Boston Symphony Orchestra Box Set (5 DVDs)
MP4 Video Download Collection:
This material represents some of the earliest televised concerts with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and three of their eminent music directors, Charles Munch, Erich Leinsdorf and William Steinberg. This historical footage has been restored using the greatest care and state-of-the-art techniques. It is of exceptional musical interest and historical value, and has been described by critics as a ‘rare treat’ (Gramophone) and ‘welcome documentations’ (BBC Music Magazine).
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William Steinberg / Boston Symphony Orchestra
MP4 Video Download:
A compelling performance of Bruckner’s Eighth Symphony, this DVD presents Steinberg at his most majestic in a sympathetic interpretation of this mighty work. The Boston Symphony Orchestra is once again on top form, as testified by a rapturous Sanders Theatre audience. 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, William Steinberg. 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.
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William Steinberg / Boston Symphony Orchestra
MP4 Video Download:
Steinberg was much admired for his sterling musicianship; the breadth of his repertory, which included much contemporary music; the clarity and precision of his technique; his wit and pipe-smoking geniality; and the collegial relationships he established and maintained with his musicians.
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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.
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Hartmut Haenchen
MP4 Video Download:
This outstanding performance of Mahler’s Sixth Symphony formed part of Hartmut Haenchen’s Mahler Cycle with the La Monnaie Symphony Orchestra. Haenchen is renowned and respected for his interpretations of Mahler and Wagner and has had a significant presence in many of the world’s leading opera houses. An expressive and dramatic rendition of the Tragische, Haenchen’s high intellect and musical integrity are apparent. The recording also benefits from DTS 5.1 surround sound.
