Product Details

• Actors: Michael Tilson Thomas
• Format: Classical, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Sfs Media
• DVD Release Date: March 8, 2005
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0007R4TI0
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,076 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

DVD featuring Michael Tilson Thomas (Actor).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breaking a barrier an educational tool, March 21, 2006

By 

Lawrence J. White "wanting to learn more" (New Westminster, British Columbia Canada) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Keeping Score: The Making of a Performance - Tchaikovsky's 4th Symphony (DVD)

I first saw parts of this DVD on PBS and was so intrigued with it, I went immediately to the web site and ordered it. This has to be a 'must purchase' for anybody who is wanting to learn what it is like to prepare for a large concert of a major work.
Michael Tilson Thomas brings the viewer much insight as to what he is trying to achieve from his interpretation of this very familiar piece. Little things such as suggesting a different bow movement makes a huge difference in the presentation.
An excellent educational tool, for those who want to learn more of the background of this piece plus a look at the various instruments that are 'featured' in this piece.
I highly recommend this and hope this is only the first in a series. 'Twould be nice to see other orchestras doing this with other presentations as well!
Well Done MTT & SFO
L J White
New Westminster BC
Canada

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Behind the Scenes at the Preparation of a Tchaikovsky Symphony Concert, October 3, 2007

By 

J Scott Morrison (Middlebury VT, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Keeping Score: The Making of a Performance - Tchaikovsky's 4th Symphony (DVD)

I can't praise this DVD highly enough for those who are curious about how a conductor and orchestra prepare and put together a performance of a symphonic work, in this case the magnificent Tchaikovsky Fourth Symphony. We get a very generous -- and at times humorous, and always genial -- narration by Michael Tilson Thomas as he prepares a performance with his orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony (which is surely one of the country's great orchestras although it is not generally listed, wrongly so in my opinion, with the so-called Big Five American orchestras). We also focus in on several of the individual players to find out how they prepare for the rehearsals. There is also a scene in which the orchestra talks with a group of children about how the orchestra works, and this includes a funny moment where the piccolo player discusses how nervous she gets playing that incredibly difficult solo in the the Tchaikovsky Fourth's third movement. The rehearsal scenes are then followed by an exciting and fully satisfying live performance of the piece in San Francisco's marvelous Davies Symphony Hall. Sound and video are first-rate.

I've attended many rehearsals of orchestras and this DVD certainly catches the feeling of this intricate and complex team project. I think it would be very enjoyable for anyone interested in this general subject.

Recommended.

Scott Morrison

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars C;lassical music made accessible, April 1, 2005

By 

John D. Kieser - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Keeping Score: The Making of a Performance - Tchaikovsky's 4th Symphony (DVD)

I really enjoyed this documentary. Ever wonder what musicians think or what Tchaikovsky was going through when he wrote music? This video helped me understand the powerful emotions of music and why classical music is important. Michael Tilson Thomas is brilliant as a guide through this music genre and the story he tells is compelling and very entertaining. There is also a terrific website at www.keepingscore.org