American Night - Berliner Philharmoniker at the Waldbühne (1995) - Sir Simon Rattle DVD

UPC: 0807280717396

Product Features:

• Conductor: Sir Simon Rattle
• Piano: Wayne Marshall
• Orchestra: Berliner Philharmoniker
• Cast:Choir: Rundfunkchor Berlin, directed by Robin Gritton
  • Willard White as Porgy
  • Cynthia Haymon as Bess
  • Damon Evans as Sporting Life
  • Cynthia Clarey as Serena
  • Marietta Simpson as Maria
  • Daniel Washington as Clown
• Performance Date: Recorded live at the Waldbühne, Berlin, 1995
• Running Time: 85 minutes
• Format: DVD, PAL, 4:3 Aspect Ratio
• Audio: PCM Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
• Region Code: 0 (Worldwide)

Overview:

This DVD captures the American Night concert performed by the Berliner Philharmoniker under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle at the iconic Waldbühne in Berlin, 1995. The evening’s program celebrates American music, with a blend of jazz, classical, and Broadway influences, featuring masterpieces by Leonard Bernstein and George Gershwin. Highlights of the concert include Wayne Marshall’s energetic performance of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and selections from Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, with a stellar cast led by Willard White and Cynthia Haymon.

The concert opens with Bernstein’s lively Candide Overture, followed by Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and Bernstein’s Prelude, Fugue, and Riffs. The second half of the program focuses on Gershwin’s iconic opera Porgy and Bess, including famous numbers like “Someone to Watch Over Me” and “I Got Rhythm.” The evening ends on a lighter note with a performance of Paul Lincke’s Berliner Luft.

Interesting Facts:

• Waldbühne Concert: The Berliner Philharmoniker's annual Waldbühne concerts are a beloved tradition, set in a stunning open-air amphitheater in Berlin, offering a unique atmosphere.
• Sir Simon Rattle’s American Focus: Rattle, known for his versatile repertoire, brings his passion for American music to life in this concert, highlighting the works of Bernstein and Gershwin, two giants of 20th-century American music.
• Gershwin’s Jazz-Classical Fusion: Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue combines jazz rhythms with classical structures, making it one of the most popular and influential American compositions of all time.
• Cast Excellence: Willard White, one of the most celebrated bass-baritones, shines as Porgy, with Cynthia Haymon delivering a moving portrayal of Bess, making this performance of Porgy and Bess a standout.

Track Listing:

• Leonard Bernstein:
  • Candide: Overture
  • Prelude, Fugue, and Riffs
• George Gershwin:
  • Rhapsody in Blue
  • Porgy and Bess: Highlights, including “Someone to Watch Over Me” and “I Got Rhythm”
• Paul Lincke:
  • Berliner Luft

Publishers:

• Produced by: Arthaus Musik in co-production with Deliart/Vial Furcartois

Hashtags:

#AmericanNight #BerlinerPhilharmoniker #SirSimonRattle #WaldbühneConcert #Gershwin #Bernstein #PorgyAndBess #RhapsodyInBlue #ClassicalMusic #LiveConcert #OperaHighlights