Leonard Bernstein
1918 - 1990Ode An Die Freiheit
Humphrey Burton
Leonard Bernstein
Conducted by Leonard Bernstein, this is an historic performance marking the fall of the Berlin Wall. Performed on Christmas Day 1989 in the former East Berlin, a concert that unites an cast former eastern and western Berlin musicians and vocalists, among with an international cast of musicians, for a moving performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.
Ode to Freedom
Karajan—Schönheit wie ich sie sehe
Robert Dornhelm
Herbert von Karajan, Leonard Bernstein
With a career that includes a 35-year tenure as composer of the Berlin Philharmonic and record sales topping 200 million, Herbert von Karajan is one of the most legendary figures in 20th-century classical music. Comprised of archival footage, performance highlights and interviews with the likes of Anne-Sophie Mutter, Christa Ludwig and Seiji Ozawa, this retrospective chronicles the life and times of the iconic Austrian maestro.
Karajan: Beauty As I See It
Beethoven Fidelio
Otto Schenk
Gundula Janowitz, René Kollo
This production is a gala affair; the sets are traditional (evocative of 18th-19th century Spain); the lighting is bright, so colors are good and one can see all of the action. Singers are generally well chosen and perform admirably. However, at this point, slight reservations creep in; although Janowitz (Fidelio/Leonore) and Kollo (Florestan) look "good" and act well, the singing parts tax them a bit when pushed to the limit. Most of the time that doesn't matter, and an argument can be made that a little vocal strain is in character with their dire plight. Ideally, for me, Vickers as Florestan would have added extra vocal heft and more sensitive acting than Kollo.
Beethoven Fidelio
Bernstein on Mahler
Humphrey Burton
Leonard Bernstein
Bernstein made this documentary in 1985, the 125th anniversary of the birth of composer Gustav Mahler, of whose music Bernstein was a strong exponent throughout his career. The film features Bernstein's own observations about Mahler and his music, along with several illustrative performances of his symphonies with the Israel, London, and Vienna Philharmonic orchestras.
Bernstein on Mahler
West Side Stories: The Making of a Classic
Ursula Macfarlane
Bruno Tonioli, Suzy Klein
As the world prepares to celebrate the 60th anniversary of West Side Story in 2017, dancer Bruno Tonioli and broadcaster Suzy Klein go in search of the true stories behind the inception of this classic show. For the first time on television, they hear first-hand from those involved in the show when it opened on Broadway in September 1957, including Sondheim himself, producer Hal Prince and original cast members from both show and movie, including Chita Rivera Carol Lawrence and Rita Moreno. With the BBC Symphony Orchestra and specially cast singers, we re-live some of the wonderful music and, in the company of Suzy and Bruno, we discover how West Side Story placed the 1950s phenomena of racial tension and teenage gangs centre stage to create a hit that changed musical theatre forever.
West Side Stories: The Making of a Classic
Bernstein in Vienna: Beethoven, The Ninth Symphony
Humphrey Burton
Plácido Domingo, Gwyneth Jones
To play Beethoven's music is to give oneself over completely to the child-spirit which lived in that grim, awkward, violent man. Without that utter submission it is impossible to play the Adagio of the Ninth. Or, Heaven knows, the first movement. And the Finale? Most of all! It is simply unplayable unless we go all the way with him, as he cries out "Brüder!" - Leonard Bernstein
Bernstein in Vienna: Beethoven, The Ninth Symphony
King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphis
Sidney Lumet, Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Martin Luther King, Coretta Scott King
Constructed from a wealth of archival footage, the documentary follows Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from 1955 to 1968, in his rise from regional activist to world-renowned leader of the Civil Rights movement. Rare footage of King's speeches, protests, and arrests are interspersed with scenes of other high-profile supporters and opponents of the cause, punctuated by heartfelt testimonials by some of Hollywood's biggest stars.
King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphis
Satchmo the Great
Louis Armstrong, Leonard Bernstein
In this 1957 biography film of the jazz-great Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong, he and his band tour the world as American good-will ambassadors bring jazz at its best to the people of the world. Within the film, the life of Louis Armstrong is portrayed through the music. One of the outstanding scenes in this "biography/docudrama" shows blind songwriter W. C. Handy, with tears streaming down his face, as Armstrong, backed by Leonard Bernstein leading the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, play Handy's immortal "St. Louis Blues."
Satchmo the Great
Leonard Bernstein: Larger Than Life
Georg Wübbolt
Daryl Jackson, Leonard Bernstein
The document explores Leonard Bernstein's various facets as a conductor, a composer, a pianist and most of all a teacher and how he influenced so many people. It includes interviews of his children, former conductor students, orchestra members, collabrators and other acquintanses. - Pascal Kay
Leonard Bernstein: Larger Than Life
Beethoven's Birthday: A Celebration in Vienna with Leonard Bernstein
Humphrey Burton
Leonard Bernstein, Theo Adam
In this documentary portrait prepared for the anniversary of Ludwig Van Beethoven's 200th birthday, Leonard Bernstein illustrates his analysis with excerpts from his performances of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major and the Ode to Joy from the Ninth Symphony.
Beethoven's Birthday: A Celebration in Vienna with Leonard Bernstein
