Customer Reviews

Beethoven: Classical Masterpieces II

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This is the second in a series of six classical music documentaries, originally made in 2006 for Deutsche Welle, from Kent Nagano and the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin. This one features commentary about and rehearsal footage as well as a concert performance of Beethoven's Third Symphony, the 'Eroica'. The complete series will consist of similar documentaries about and performances of:

1. Mozart: Symphony No. 41, 'Jupiter'
2. Beethoven: Symphony No. 3, 'Eroica
3. Schumann: Symphony No. 3, 'Rhenish'
4. Brahms: Symphony No. 4
5. Bruckner: Symphony No. 8 (2nd version)
6. Strauss: Alpine Symphony

Unlike the first in the series where Nagano made rather general, mostly non-technical comments about Mozart's 'Jupiter' Symphony, in this one Nagano (and some of the orchestra's instrumentalists, speaking in German but with good English subtitles) make some pretty insightful comments, movement by movement, about the symphony including some degree of musical analysis. Nagano makes much of the revolutionary nature of the work. I was also struck by the comments of the horn players and a cellist about their instruments' parts in the symphony, complete with illustrations. As in the first of the series, there are clever animated segments featuring Beethoven and others saying words found in Beethoven's and others' writings (particularly those of Beethoven's student, Ferdinand Ries, a fine composer in his own right).

The performance segment takes place in Berlin's beautiful Philharmonie and is greeted with enthusiasm by the capacity audience. The videography is crystal clear but there is occasional fidgetiness in the editing. Sound is spectacular, among the best I've heard in the DVD format.

I can easily imagine this DVD and its successors being collected by libraries, schools and individual music-lovers. Their educational potential, particularly for those who are only casually familiar with classical music, is immense.

Strongly recommended for its intended audience.

Produced in 2006 in Berlin. Narration is in English with subtitles in French, Spanish, Italian and Japanese. In those segments with the Berlin musicians speaking in German, English subtitles are added. Sound formats: DD 5.1, DTS 5.1, PCM Stereo. Picture format: 16:9. Running time: Performance 54 mins; Documentary 52 mins; TT 106 mins. DVD9 NTSC.

Scott Morrison

There are always two elements to any classical music DVD, the musical and the technical. Here we have Beethoven's Eroica in an amazing performance by Kent Nagano and the No. 2 orchestra of Berlin. However, they sound anything like a No. 2 orchestra as the playing is simply brilliant and Nagano's interpretation is magnificent.

The camera work is strange. Unlike most filmed concerts, the cameras rove over the orchestra. One second for the violins, another for the oboe, etc. I got dizzy watching it. I prefer much more time for each section.

As for the documentary, I found it to be rather ordinary. It showed most of the performance, a few interviews with musicians and plenty of time with the conductor. I think they spent as little money as possible here. I say skip the documentary and play the entire concert. If I wanted information about the music, I can use the web.

Good for renting but not buying.