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Mozart's Symphonies No. 40 and No. 28 are powerful and dramatic works in their own right. Combine a fabulous performance of these symphonies (by
Barry Wordsworth and the Capella Istropolitana) with a spectacular visual tour of an Italian monastery and an Austrian city, and you've got a Naxos masterpiece. To the strains of Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, viewers tour the Neustift Monastery in Southern Tyrol, Italy. Breathtaking views of the outer walls, halls, immensely ornate chapel, and extensive library abound. The photography is crystal clear, the lighting superb, and the pace and path ideal. Missing completely are the bustling, noisy crowds so frequently encountered in real-life travel. Symphony No. 28 ushers in a change of scenery, this time a look at the Austrian Tyrol's capital city, Innsbruck. From the spectacular vista of the city landscape to an in-depth look at some of the city's finest architecture, this is again a journey you won't want to miss. Finally, overtures from
Il re pastore,
Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail, and
La clemenza di Tito are paired with contemplative views of ducks at a pond's edge and the ornate interiors and exteriors of several Austrian churches.
DVD specifics include a choice of DTS 6 channel Surround Sound, Dolby Digital Surround Sound, and Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0. Additional features include repeat and shuffle play options and previews for other Naxos offerings. Only the credits are a bit sparse. What a wonderful addition to your DVD collection! --Tami Horiuchi
