Great Composers: Wagner's Musical and Cultural Legacy

UPC 5051011547720

Product Features

• Narration by Kenneth Branagh
• Performances by the Prague Symphony Orchestra and Berlin State Opera Orchestra
• Conducted by Roger Norrington and Daniel Barenboim
• Contributions from notable figures such as Stephen Hawking and Sir Georg Solti
• Filmed across Switzerland, Italy, and Bavaria
• Includes excerpts from Wagner's most famous operas
• Part of the BBC's acclaimed 'Great Composers' series
• Total duration approximately 58 minutes
• NTSC 4:3 picture format, color
• Region codes: 2, 3, 4, 5
• Linear PCM Stereo sound quality
• Subtitles available in English, Deutsch, Español, Français, Italiano
• Copy-protected DVD

Overview

The 'Great Composers' series dives into the tumultuous and fascinating life of Richard Wagner, a figure of immense musical genius and complex personal history. This documentary, narrated by the esteemed Kenneth Branagh and featuring music performed by the Prague Symphony Orchestra and the Berlin State Opera Orchestra, offers a profound examination of Wagner's spiritual vision and its manifestation in his art. The film addresses the controversial aspects of Wagner's life, including his anti-Semitic views and his ability to captivate audiences with his groundbreaking operatic techniques. Contributions from experts and musicians, such as Daniel Barenboim and Stephen Hawking, enrich the narrative, providing a multifaceted perspective on Wagner's influence on music and culture.

Interesting Facts

• The documentary includes insights from Wagner experts like John Deathridge and Barry Millington.
• It features some of the world's most renowned Wagnerian performers, including Deborah Polaski and Falk Struckmann.
• The series also covers other iconic composers such as Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Puccini, and Mahler.
• The cover painting of Wagner is sourced from the Mary Evans Picture Library.

Key Credits

• Narrator: Kenneth Branagh
• Music Performed by: Prague Symphony Orchestra, Berlin State Opera Orchestra
• Conductors: Roger Norrington, Daniel Barenboim
• Contributors: Stephen Hawking, Sir Georg Solti, Daniel Barenboim, Roger Norrington, Deborah Polaski
• Producer and Director: Kriss Rusmanis
• Series Executive Producer: Kriss Rusmanis