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Herbert von Karajan: Memorial Concert [Blu-ray]
Herbert von Karajan Memorial Concert
Blu-ray
Actors: von Karajan, Beethoven, Bach, Tchaikovsky, Mutter
Director: Ozawa
Genres: Music Video & Concerts, Musicals & Performing Arts
NR     2009     2hr 2min

A triumph of remembrance, wrote Die Welt following this stirring concert given by — the Berliner Philharmoniker under Seiji Ozawa and with Anne-Sophie Mutter as — soloist. It left its audience hovering between hushed reveren...  more »

     
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Movie Details

Actors: von Karajan, Beethoven, Bach, Tchaikovsky, Mutter
Director: Ozawa
Genres: Music Video & Concerts, Musicals & Performing Arts
Sub-Genres: Music Video & Concerts, Classical
Studio: Euroarts
Format: Blu-ray - Color,Widescreen
DVD Release Date: 02/24/2009
Original Release Date: 01/01/2009
Theatrical Release Date: 01/01/2009
Release Year: 2009
Run Time: 2hr 2min
Screens: Color,Widescreen
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaDVD Credits: 2
Total Copies: 0
Members Wishing: 1
Edition: Classical
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Languages: English
Subtitles: Italian, German, English, French, Spanish
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Movie Reviews

Desert island disc--a real gem of a concert
Chhan Thuan Kiat | Brunei Darussalam | 04/01/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This celebratory concert(100th anniversary of Karajan's birth)recorded at the dazzling Golden hall of Vienna's Musikverein on 28 Jan 2008, is arguably the best concert disc on Blu ray that I've seen so far. Featuring Anne Sophie Mutter in stunning form musically, playing Beethoven's violin concerto, the work with which she has performed more times with her late mentor Karajan than any other work,and supported by the Berliners in sparkling form,with immaculate conducting from Seiji Ozawa, this is a must have for music lovers. Yes one may have heard the Beethoven a hundred times but when performed with such panache and virtuosity,one hears it again afresh. The picture quality is first class and the recorded audio in PCM 5.1 is brilliant with great dynamic range and a surround ambience that almost makes one feel one were in a concert hall. In the larghetto Mutter coaxed the most amazing tones from her instrument and with lucid accompaniment from the woodwinds particularly the bassoon this was a movement to cherish. This is a lush and romantic reading , the soloist relishing in the musical nuances of this Mount Everest of violin concertos. The final movement too is played with great aplomb. The solo violin Partita( Sarabande) by JS Bach was a refreshing sorbet before the next major work, Tchaikovsky's Pathetique Symphony, and here too one sees Ozawa urging the BPO in a dramatic account with exciting sonic dynamics very well recorded . How the audience responded. What a concert . If you buy just one music disc this year, buy this one!"
New Benchmark
J. Nigriny | Hendersonville, NC USA | 02/27/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you like superb video and audio and appreciate classical music genius, this is the ultimate disc for you. If you own 1080p video and at least moderately good multichannel audio equipment, you are in for a treat. The performance is flawless and the vediophile and audiophile experience is without peer. Even the camerawork and the shots of the hall are breathtaking. This disc sets the bar at a new high level for those of us who are looking not only for the best performances from the best of the best but stunning video and audio technology This disc is a must have. My only regret is that it makes the rest of my library a little disappointing. Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!"
When you can't go to a concert....
Roderick Keech | Australia | 08/12/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Let the concert come to you.

The quality of this Blu-Ray disc is impeccable. Filmed in Full HD 1080P and with a lossless 5.1 PCM or 2.0 PCM soundtrack, you may as well be a member of the audience. There is something incredibly invigorating seeing a premier orchestra in full flight, with excellent camera-work to match. The sound in the rear is more than just ambient and you truly feel surrounded.

Don't get me wrong - I would have killed to be in the Musikverein that evening, but this is definitely the next best thing.

This was a truly special concert, and Anne-Sophie Mutter gives a thrilling account of the Beethoven Concerto, magnificently supported by von Karajan protegee Seiji Ozawa and the Berliners. The Tchaikovsky 6th is no less transporting.

It is a great pity, that at time of writing this, you can count on one hand the number of Blu-Ray releases of orchestral performances - and still have a finger or two left over. I hope for more in the future, for all of us who cannot slip into the Concertgebouw, the Berlin Philharmonie or the Vienna Musikverein whenever we feel like it.

5 stars for the picture quality
5 stars for the photography
5 stars for the audio quality
5 stars for the performances

A must-buy for Blu-Ray and Classical lovers."
A Heartfelt Memorial to Herbert Von Karajan
The Joy of Music | Victoria, B.C., Canada | 04/10/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anne-Sophie Mutter (Pronounced "Onnuh-Zophie Mooter" in German) is arguably the #1 Violinist of the past 32 years. The story of her professional relationship with Herbert Von Karajan is truly inspiring, revealing great insights into their personalities and professionalism.

In my opinion, this latest Mutter version of Beethoven's Violin Concerto is both a memorial and perhaps also part of the grieving process for one of the most influential men in her life, which explains the intense emotion of the performance.

The first two movements are extremely slow, with every phrase lovingly shaped by Anne-Sophie and the Orchestra. This is not the Violin Concerto we all know and love, and we are forced to slow down our metabolism to get in sync with it. I think it works, but I need to hear it a couple more times to relate to it properly. (LATER: After listening several times to my newly acquired Blu-Ray version, I'd have to say this is an Ageless Performance - I LOVE IT!)

The third movement sounds like a wonderful celebration of Von Karajan's Life and achievements: energetic, forceful, confident, intelligent and full of joie-de-vivre. Wonderful music making!

Yes, there is a Bach encore, but after the Beethoven it was a bit of an anticlimax. Apparently, it was a piece which Anne-Sophie played for Von K, which is probably why she is blinking back tears after it ends.

This is an important recording, made even more pleasurable by top quality sound and video work. The video director deserves a medal for tasteful and intriguing camera work! The sound is faithful to the Musikverein Golden Hall acoustic, which has always been, to my ears, over-bright on loud passages. Better run this through your Tube Amplifier to soften it up a bit!

I'm really not qualified to comment on the Tchaikovsky Symphony, except to say it is brilliantly played and conducted, and Ozawa looks like a Japanese Samurai Warrior who has been persuaded to come out of retirement for this final tribute to his Great Mentor.

The DVD includes fascinating and important interviews of Mutter and Ozawa by an intelligent probing interviewer who is totally fluent in German (Mutter) and English (Ozawa).

You can't go wrong with this one, and it comes in Blu-Ray too. Buy it NOW and enjoy it with your Friends!

TECHNICAL ALERT: For those who can't play the Documentary part of this disc, I'd suggest asking your Blu-Ray Dealer to get you a FIRMWARE UPDATE by hooking up the player to the Manufacturer's Website. See my Amazon.com review of the DENON DBP-4010UDCI Player for the other benefits of doing the Firmware Update.


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