Six great composers, six landmark symphonies, a top orchestra and its
star conductor Kent Nagano - these are the components of an extraordinary
classical-music television event. Shot in High Definition, it takes a
bold and innovative approach to the recording of classical music. Boom
and tracking shots, quick cuts, remote-controlled cameras - stylistic
means previously used chiefly for pop music recordings give the programs
an up-to-the-minute look and feel. A team of more than 30 specialists
makes sure that viewers enjoy a truly cinematic experience. The programs
also go new ways by featuring entertaining, historically founded animated
sequences illustrating episodes from the lives of the composers.
Backstage interviews with the musicians and excerpts from their rehearsals
let us share in the spirit of their music-making. Conductor Kent Nagano
also relates what is of special importance to him in each work, and offers
fascinating insights on the origin and context of the work in question.
The main element of each episode is the live recording of a concert from
the Berlin Philharmonie. Kent Nagano is one of the most successful and
high-profile conductors of today. He has led all the major orchestras of
New York, London, Berlin, Vienna, Paris... In 2000 he was named artistic
director of the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin. In fall 2006 he
succeeded Zubin Mehta as General Music Director of the Bavarian State
Opera.
Beethoven originally dedicated this symphony to Napoleon Bonaparte, whom
he saw as the champion of the common man, a hero pursuing the newly
founded ideals of the French Revolution: Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.
However, upon hearing that Napoleon had declared himself emperor,
Beethoven became furious and tore up the title page containing the
dedication. The "Eroica" marks one of the turning points in music history,
heralding a new age in symphonic style. Prior to this work, Beethoven had
been a composer with roots in the 18th century. The Third Symphony's
length and the nature of its thematic material, emotional depth, range and
harmonic daring set it apart from any earlier symphonic work.
The DVD is also released within the complete "Kent Nagano conducts classical masterpieces" DVD package which is available in selected stores worldwide and through Amazon or JPC.