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New
Releases
April 27, 2008
Release dates on this page supercede all release dates shown elsewhere on vaimusic.com.
VAI DVD 4466, $34.95
Gilels (1916-1985) was one of the 20th century’s foremost pianists. Like many Russian artists of his era, he was virtually unknown in the West until the cultural thaw of the mid-’50s. Though Gilels’ repertoire was far-ranging, the music of the German Romantic era benefited particularly from his burnished tone, strong technique and unfussy yet elegant musicianship. The 1983 recital preserved on this DVD is devoted to the music of Schumann, Brahms, and Mendelssohn, including Brahms’s Paganini Variations (Book I) and Schumann’s Symphonic Etudes. 93 minutes, Color, All regions.
VAI DVD 4467, $34.95
Gilels was a superb Mozartian. His playing is stylistically scrupulous, infused with lyricism while maintaining keen attention to detail. This all-Mozart program includes two performances of the composer’s final piano concerto, the Concerto No. 27 in B-flat; seldom has the slow movement been so ravishingly presented. For the Concerto for Two Pianos in E-Flat, Gilels is joined by his daughter Elena, with whom he often performed. Concerts are from 1979 and 1983, with The USSR State Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Vyacheslav Ovchinnikov. 98 minutes, Color, All regions.
VAI DVD 4457, $24.95
Subtitled “A Portrait in Dance,” this 1990 documentary about Ekaterina Maximova and Vladimir Vasiliev features extensive performance footage, including excerpts from Romeo & Juliet (both the Prokofiev as well as a production conceived for them by Béjart), Anyuta, Spartacus, etc. They are also seen coaching younger dancers, including Eric Vu An, Assaf Messerer, Elisabeth Maurin, and Richard Wilk. DVD includes a bonus segment of Katia & Volodia in the Balcony Scene from Prokofiev’s Romeo & Juliet, taken from a 1974 film of the complete ballet. Color, 58 min., All regions.
VAI DVD 4436, $39.95
Arguably Giuseppe Verdi’s greatest study in chiaroscuro, Ballo in Maschera pits the principal character’s searing personal tragedies against the frivolity of the Royal Court of 18th-century Sweden. This live 1967 performance brings together the talents of two legendary Verdians: tenor Carlo Bergonzi and soprano Antonietta Stella, supported by a first-rate cast, including Mario Zanasi as Renato, Margherita Guglielmi as Oscar, and Lucia Danieli as Ulrica. The NHK Symphony Orchestra is under the direction of the legendary maestro Oliviero de Fabritiis. DVD Bonus: An exclusive interview with Antonietta Stella (Rome, 2008). Color, 145 minutes (bonus = 24 minutes), with optional English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish subtitles, All regions.
Mozart:
The Early Concerti
Adam Nieman with Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra
WCOCD0003,
$22.95 2-CD’s
Mozart’s
three “Salzburg Concerti” were all written in 1776 and demonstrate his growth
from an extraordinarily gifted composer to that of a truly innovative master
with his E-flat major concerto. His “Prague” symphony
is acknowledged as one of Mozart’s greatest symphonic statements and is one of his most popular orchestral works
This year marks the 50th anniversary
of Van Cliburn’s triumph at the Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow. Cliburn’s winning the Competion
in 1958 at the height of the Cold War between the US and the USSR made Cliburn a hero and a superstar at home. VAI is proud
to announce a series of five DVDs to commemorate his
victory in Moscow.
These are performances filmed in Moscow during his 1958,
1962, and 1972
visits to
the Soviet capital. These broadcasts have not been
seen in the West until now.
The first two DVDs will appear at the end of April. Volume One (DVD 4452) features Cliburn and the Moscow Philharmonic conducted by Kiril Kondrashin in Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto and Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 (Kondrashin was the conductor on Cliburn’s best selling RCA recording of the Tchaikovsky.) These 1962 performances also include encores by Chopin and Liszt.
Volume Two (DVD 4453) features 1972 performances of Grieg’s Piano Concerto and Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2, again with Kondrashin and the Moscow Philharmonic.
Future volumes will appear between May and July. These will include (among others) performances of Rachmaninoff’s Concertos No. 2 and 3 and Sonata No. 2, Beethoven’s “Appassionata” Sonata, Liszt’s Sonata, Prokofiev’s 6th Sonata, Brahms’ “Handel Variations” and many shorter works by Chopin, Scriabin, and others.
VAI DVD 4452, price TBA
Coming late May
Cliburn and the Moscow Philharmonic conducted by Kiril Kondrashin in Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto and Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 (Kondrashin was the conductor on Cliburn’s best selling RCA recording of the Tchaikovsky.) These 1962 performances also include encores by Chopin and Liszt.
VAI DVD 4453, price TBA
Coming late May
1972 performances of Grieg’s Piano Concerto and Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2, with Kondrashin and the Moscow Philharmonic.
VAI DVD 4451, $34.95
Don Quixote retains its foothold in the standard repertoire through its colorful dances, a whimsical story and its brilliantly virtuosic last act pas de deux. Virtuosity is very much on display in this 1992 performance by the Tchaikovsky Perm State Ballet during the company’s Japanese tour. Nina Ananiashvili’s Kitri displays her astonishing technical gifts, her natural charm and a flair for comedy. Her long-time partner, Alexei Fadeyechev as Basil, is her perfect foil in all these respects. This video is the only record of Ananiashvili in one of her signature roles. Color, Stereo, 120 min., All regions.
VAI DVD 4450, $34.95
Swan Lake boasts one of Tchaikovsky’s most popular scores, a story line filled with mystery and fantasy and a dual role for the ballerina requiring a prodigious technique and keen dramatic instincts — demands so effectively met by Nina Ananiashvili in this 1992 performance by the Tchaikovsky Perm State Ballet, widely recognized as one of the most prestigious companies in the world. With Ananiashvili’s frequent partner, Alexei Fadeyechev, as Prince Siegfried. Color, Stereo, 131 min., All regions.
VAI DVD 4445, $34.95
Ekaterina Maximova is one of the few ballerinas, who, in their artistic maturity, can capture the ebullience of a thirteen-year-old. Her Juliet is an astonishing accomplishment, magnificently danced and emotionally heartrending. Her Romeo is the superb Vladimir Vasiliev, one of the greatest male dancers produced by Russia, who looks the part and acts and dances it to perfection. The other soloists and the Bolshoi corps de ballet make this a performance to treasure. Live, 1974. Color, 152 minutes, All regions.
New Years Concert 2008 From the Teatro La Fenice
Hardy DVD, HCD4029, $34.95
Conductor
Roberto Abbado leads the Orchestra and Chorus of the Teatro La Fenice
and soloists soprano Barbara Frittoli, tenor Walter Fraccaro, and bass Ferruccio
Furlanetto in a program of arias and overtures by Verdi, Rossini, Leoncavallo,
and Puccini. Recorded live on January 1, 2008 at the Teatro La Fenice in Venice,
Italy.
Color, Stereo, 110 min., All regions.
VAI DVD 4394, $34.95
A spectacular television production of the 1774 French version of the opera, with a tenor Orpheus. As produced by the Montreal studios of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the cast stars Léopold Simoneau (Orphée), Pierrette Alarie (Eurydice), and Claire Gagnier (Amour). Designed, staged, and choreographed by Ludmilla Chiriaeff in the style of the French 18th century, and featuring dancers of the Les Grands Ballets Canadiens. The Chorus and Orchestre de Radio-Canada is under the direction of Otto-Werner Mueller. 88 minutes, Black & White, optional subtitles in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. All Regions.
VAI DVD 4448, $29.95
When Del Monaco appeared with the Bolshoi in 1959, he became the first Italian opera singer to perform in Soviet Russia. Carmen scenes with Del Monaco, Arkhipova, and Lisitsian; Melik-Pashaev, cond. Pagliacci scenes with Del Monaco and Maslennicova; Tieskovini, cond. Black & White, 90 minutes, optional subtitles in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish, All regions.
VAI DVD 4446, $34.95
This 1976 performance stars the legendary Maya Plisetskaya, with Alexander Bogatirev as Basil. With the Bolshoi Ballet Company and Orchestra of the Bolshoi Theatre conducted by Algis Zhuraitis. Production Design by Simon Virsaladze. This is the only available video record of Plisetskaya in a complete performance of the ballet, live from the stage of the Bolshoi Theatre. It is not to be confused with an earlier film version also starring Plisetskaya which eliminated several sections of the ballet. Color, approx. 140 min., All regions.
VAI DVD 4444, $24.95
Violette Verdy, best remembered for her years as one of George Balanchine’s prima ballerinas at the New York City Ballet, has, in her retirement from the stage, been deeply involved in the training of young dancers. In this fascinating film, Ms. Verdy is shown coaching principal and guest artists at the Paris Opera Ballet in works of Balanchine and Jerome Robbins. Her deep respect for the material and her supportive work with her dancers define the qualities of a great teacher. Among the stars appearing in the program are Elisabeth Maurin, Isabelle Guerin, Elisabeth Platel, Margaret Illmann, and Vladimir Malakhov. Also with the participation of Roland Petit. Color, approx. 75 min., All regions. In English and French only.
Renata
Scotto in Budapest
VAI DVD 4430, $24.95
The magnificent artistry of one of opera’s
greatest divas, presented in a live 1991 concert with orchestra. Program
includes Berlioz: Les nuits d’été; arias from La Wally, Gianni Schicchi, Adriana Lecouvreur, Giulio Cesare, and La Clemenza di Tito. The Budapest Symphony Orchestra is under the direction of Ervin Lukács. Color, Stereo, 68 minutes, optional subtitles in English, French, German,
Italian, and Spanish, All regions.
VAI DVD 4449, $24.95
The only commercially available video of legendary pianist Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli in a concerto performance! This 1967 video, from the archives of Danish Television, features Michelangeli playing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 (“Emperor”), accompanied by the Danish National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Jan Krenz. 39 minutes, Black & White, All regions.
VAI DVD 4440, $24.95
From the 2007 Miami International Piano Festival comes a rare performance by the distinguished American composer Frederic Rzewski of his most famous work, The People United Will Never Be Defeated!, 36 Variations on the Sergio Ortega song ¡El pueblo unido jamás será vencido! 65 minutes, Color, Stereo, All regions.
Hardy DVD HCD4028, $39.95
Heinze Rehfuss is the Count, Marcella Pobbe is the Countess, Nicola Rossi Lemeni is Figaro and Rosanna Carteri is Susanna in this 1956 RAI film. Nino Sanzogno conducts the Milan RAI Orchestra and Chorus. 156 minutes, Black and White, optional subtitles in English, French, Italian, Spanish. All regions.
VAI DVD 4441 $29.95
The long-awaited debut DVD of the award-winning and critically-acclaimed young pianist. This recital from the 2007 Miami International Piano Festival features Beethoven's Sonata No. 21 (“Waldstein”); four of Mendelssohn’s Songs without Words, as well as his Scherzo a capriccio in F-sharp minor; the Sonata Tragica by Medtner; Janáček's Sonata ``I.X.1905'' ; and Sonata No. 3 by Scriabin. All regions
VAI DVD 4437, $29.95
Newly discovered in the archives of Danish Television! A live 1967 performance of Carl Nielsen’s Symphony No. 2, “The Four Temperaments,” featuring the legendary conductor Leopold Stokowski leading the Danish National Symphony Orchestra. This was Stokowski’s first and only performance of the work. DVD also includes an interview with the great Maestro. Black & White, Mono, 37 minutes (plus 8-minute interview). All regions.
Raymonda (Glazunov)
VAI DVD 4447 $34.95
A stunning live performance of this classic ballet performed by the Kirov Ballet on the very stage where the company had premiered the work in 1898. This 1980 production stars Irina Kolpakova in the title role, with Sergei Berezhnoi as Jean de Brien and Gennady Selutsky as Aderakhman. Choreography by Marius Petipa; Production revised by Konstantin Sergeyev. Orchestra of the Kirov Theatre; Viktor Shirokov, conductor. Color, Mono, 133 minutes. All regions.
VAI Audio CD 1002 $16.99 (1 CD)
A radically improved re-mastering of our first version of this release, using the original lacquer discs as the audio source. This new version also includes the radio announcements and commentary that accompanied the original broadcast.
VAI Audio 1261-2, 2CDs $33.95
The renowned cellist performs works by Bach, Haydn, Beethoven, Schumann, Chopin, Franck, Debussy, etc. Accompanied by pianists Mitchell Andrews, Arthur Balsam, Leonid Hambro, Frank Iogha, and Jack Maxin. Mono, 2-CD set.
Matacic
Conducts Wagner
VAI Audio CD 1267, 1 CD $16.99
The Zagreb Philharmonic under the direction of the lengendary conductor Lovro von Matacic; with the renowned Wagnerian soprano Roberta Knie. Progam features the Overture to Rienzi; Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde; and Siegfried’s Rhine Journey & Funeral Music, as well as Brünnhilde’s Immolation Scene from Götterdämmerung. Recorded live at the Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall, Zagreb (1977). Stereo.
David
Korevarr, Goldberg Variations
Ivory Classics CD77005, 1 CD $16.99
Recorded in June of 2007 on a Shigeru Concert Grand. Includes extensive notes by Korevaar and Tim Smith. 66 minutes. Stereo.
Igor
Lovchinsky, Debut Recording
Ivory Classics CD77006, 1 CD $16.99
The
young Russian pianist Igor Lovchinsky is heard in a program of Chopin,
Scriabin and Gershwin/Wild. Lovchinsky has won first prize at the Eastman
International Piano Competition and the National Chopin Piano Competition
of the Kosciuszko Foundation. Stereo.
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