Description

Great Ensembles of the 20th Century - Classic Archive Collector's Edition Blu-ray

Product Information

UPC: 880242739940
Product Type: Classical Music Blu-ray
Genre: Classical Chamber Music/Performance
Languages: Various (minimal spoken content)
Subtitles: Not specified
Format: Blu-ray Disc
Running Time: 889 minutes (14 hours, 49 minutes)
Video Format: SD NTSC 4:3 on Blu-ray
Audio: PCM 2.0 Dual Mono, Dolby Digital 2.0 Dual Mono
Region Code: All (worldwide)
Distributor: EuroArts/Idéale Audience

Overview

The "Classic Archive Collector's Edition - Ensembles" is an extraordinary Blu-ray compilation featuring historic performances from some of the greatest chamber musicians and ensembles of the 20th century. This comprehensive collection offers unique insights into the golden age of classical music interpretation through nearly 15 hours of recitals and concertos. The featured artists represent the highest echelon of chamber music performance: cellists Mstislav Rostropovich, pianists Sviatoslav Richter and Robert Casadesus, the acclaimed Istomin-Stern-Rose Trio, the legendary Amadeus Quartet, violinists David Oistrakh, Yehudi Menuhin, and Zino Francescatti, and pianist Hephzibah Menuhin. This remarkable treasury of performances spans works from Bach to Prokofiev, showcasing the exceptional musicianship and artistic collaboration that defined chamber music excellence in the mid-20th century.

Product Features

Format: Multi-disc Blu-ray set with worldwide region coding
Video: Standard definition source material presented in 4:3 format
Audio Options: PCM 2.0 Dual Mono, Dolby Digital 2.0 Dual Mono
Running Time: 889 minutes (14 hours, 49 minutes)
Comprehensive accompanying booklet with detailed program information
Historic footage from various European concert venues including Paris, Edinburgh, and Bath
Archival recordings dating from 1956 to 1974

Interesting Facts

Historic Musical Partnerships

This collection documents some of the most celebrated musical partnerships of the 20th century. The Istomin-Stern-Rose Trio, formed in 1961 by pianist Eugene Istomin, violinist Isaac Stern, and cellist Leonard Rose, was one of the most acclaimed piano trios in history. Similarly, the collaboration between David Oistrakh and Mstislav Rostropovich brought together two Soviet musical titans whose interpretations of works like the Brahms Double Concerto set standards that remain unsurpassed.

The Legendary Amadeus Quartet

The Amadeus Quartet, featured in this collection performing Mozart and Beethoven, was among the most revered string quartets of all time. Founded in London in 1947, the ensemble maintained the same four members (Norbert Brainin, Siegmund Nissel, Peter Schidlof, and Martin Lovett) for its entire 40-year existence—an extraordinary feat in chamber music. Their interpretations, especially of the Viennese classical repertoire, are still considered definitive benchmarks.

Cold War Musical Diplomacy

Many of these performances occurred during the height of the Cold War when classical music served as an important cultural bridge between East and West. Soviet artists like Rostropovich, Richter, and Oistrakh were among the few Soviet citizens allowed to perform in the West, with their concerts becoming significant diplomatic as well as artistic events. These performances thus represent not just musical excellence but also powerful moments of cultural exchange during a period of intense geopolitical tension.

Program Content

Bach

Concerto for 2 Violins and Orchestra, BWV 1043 (Oistrakh/Menuhin, Paris 1958)

Beethoven

Sonatas for Violoncello and Piano, Op. 5, Nos. 1-2 (Rostropovich/Richter, Edinburgh 1964)
Sonatas for Violoncello and Piano, Op. 102, Nos. 1-2 (Rostropovich/Richter, Edinburgh 1964)
Trios for Piano, Violin and Cello, Op. 1, Nos. 1-2 (Istomin-Stern-Rose Trio, Paris 1970)
Trios for Piano, Violin and Cello, Op. 70, Nos. 1-2 (Istomin-Stern-Rose Trio, Paris 1970)
String Quartets, Op. 18, Nos. 5-6 (Amadeus Quartet, Paris 1969)
Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 7, Op. 30 "Eroica" (Casadesus/Francescatti, Paris 1970)
Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 10, Op. 96 (Casadesus/Francescatti, Paris 1970)
Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 5, Op. 24 "Spring" (Oistrakh/Oborin, Paris 1962)

Brahms

Trios for Piano, Violin and Cello, Nos. 1-3, Op. 8, 87, 101 (Istomin-Stern-Rose Trio, Paris 1974)
Concerto for Violin, Violoncello and Orchestra, Op. 102 (Oistrakh/Rostropovich, London 1965)

Franck

Sonata for Violin and Piano (Yehudi Menuhin/Hephzibah Menuhin, Bath 1964)

Mozart

String Quartet No. 17, K. 458 "The Hunt" (Amadeus Quartet, Paris 1956)

Prokofiev

Five Melodies for Piano and Violin, Op. 35 (Oistrakh/Bauer, Paris 1962)

Schubert

Trio for Piano, Violin and Violoncello No. 1, D. 898 (Y. Menuhin/H. Menuhin/M. Gendron, Bath Festival 1964)

Publishers

A co-production involving Idéale Audience, BBC, INA, and CNC. Material originally produced for the Classic Archive TV series by Olivier Charvet for Idéale Audience and IMG Artists. © 2003-2007 IMG Artists/Idéale Audience. Artwork and Editorial © 2016 EuroArts Music International GmbH.

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