Description
Herbert von Karajan: Debussy & Ravel | Berliner Philharmoniker | DVD
Made in Europe
Region 0 PAL DVD
Product Information
- UPC: 5099705347997
- ISBN: 0-7389-1923-3
- Product Type: Classical Concert DVD
- Label: Sony Classical (SVD 53479)
- Series: His Legacy For Home Video
- Format: DVD
- Audio: PCM Stereo, Dolby Digital Stereo
- Duration: 54:16 minutes
- Recording Date: November 29 - December 7, 1985
- Recording Location: Philharmonie, Berlin
- Languages: English, Deutsch, Français
Overview
This magnificent DVD captures the legendary Herbert von Karajan conducting the Berliner Philharmoniker in a program of French impressionist masterpieces. The concert features Debussy's evocative "La Mer" and the ethereal "Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune," alongside Ravel's sensuous "Daphnis et Chloé Suite No. 2." Recorded at the Philharmonie in Berlin in 1985, this performance showcases Karajan's renowned interpretative mastery of French orchestral colors at a time when his partnership with the Berlin Philharmonic was in its fourth decade. As both conductor and co-director of the filming, Karajan creates a visual and sonic experience that highlights the shimmering textures and impressionistic qualities of these landmark compositions, demonstrating why he was considered one of the 20th century's most influential interpreters of this repertoire.
Deutsch Übersicht (German Overview)
Diese großartige DVD zeigt den legendären Herbert von Karajan am Dirigentenpult der Berliner Philharmoniker mit einem Programm französischer impressionistischer Meisterwerke. Das Konzert umfasst Debussys stimmungsvolles "La Mer" und das ätherische "Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune" sowie Ravels sinnliche "Daphnis et Chloé Suite Nr. 2." Aufgenommen in der Berliner Philharmonie im Jahr 1985, präsentiert diese Aufführung Karajans bekannte interpretatorische Meisterschaft französischer Orchesterfarben zu einer Zeit, als seine Partnerschaft mit den Berliner Philharmonikern bereits in ihrem vierten Jahrzehnt war. Als sowohl Dirigent als auch Co-Regisseur der Aufnahme erschafft Karajan ein visuelles und klangliches Erlebnis, das die schillernden Texturen und impressionistischen Qualitäten dieser wegweisenden Kompositionen hervorhebt und zeigt, warum er als einer der einflussreichsten Interpreten dieses Repertoires des 20. Jahrhunderts galt.
Product Features
- Complete performances of three French impressionist masterworks
- High-quality PCM stereo and Dolby Digital stereo audio
- Color video
- Interactive menus
- Booklet with liner notes in three languages
- Karajan discography
- Directed by Herbert von Karajan himself and Ernst Wild
Interesting Facts
Visual Conductor
Herbert von Karajan was not only one of the world's most renowned conductors but also a pioneer in the visual presentation of classical music. For this recording, he served as co-director alongside Ernst Wild, insisting on specific camera angles and lighting to visually represent the music's textures. Karajan believed that film could reveal aspects of music that were otherwise invisible to concert-goers, focusing on instrument sections as they became prominent in the score.
Lifetime Dedication to French Impressionism
Though primarily associated with German and Austrian repertoire, Karajan maintained a lifelong fascination with French impressionist music. He first recorded Debussy's "La Mer" in 1943 and revisited these works throughout his career, refining his interpretation over decades. This 1985 recording represents his mature vision of these compositions after more than 40 years of performing them.
Technical Innovation
This recording showcases Karajan's dedication to technical excellence. He was among the first conductors to embrace new recording technologies, and this performance benefits from advanced audio recording techniques that capture the subtle coloristic effects that are essential to French impressionist music. His collaboration with recording engineer Günter Hermanns and balance engineer Christian Constantinov was aimed at achieving unprecedented clarity and depth in the orchestral sound.
The Twilight Period
This performance was captured during what music historians often call Karajan's "twilight period." Though he was 77 years old and facing health challenges, many critics consider his late interpretations of French impressionist works to be among his most refined and insightful, showing a lifetime of accumulated wisdom and a willingness to explore new depths in familiar scores.
Track Listing
CLAUDE DEBUSSY (1862-1918)
La Mer (Three Symphonic Sketches)
- I. De l'aube à midi sur la mer (From Dawn to Midday at Sea)
- II. Jeux de vagues (Play of the Waves)
- III. Dialogue du vent et de la mer (Dialogue of the Wind and the Sea)
Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune
- Très modéré
MAURICE RAVEL (1875-1937)
Daphnis et Chloé Suite No. 2 (Symphonic Fragments)
- Lever du jour (Daybreak)
- Pantomime
- Danse générale (General Dance)
Production Credits
- Conductor: Herbert von Karajan
- Orchestra: Berliner Philharmoniker
- Realization: Herbert von Karajan, Ernst Wild
- Producer: Uli Märkle
- Recording Supervision: Michel Glotz
- Recording Engineer: Günter Hermanns
- Balance Engineer: Christian Constantinov
- Audio Post Production: Richard King
- Executive Producer and Director of Photography: Ernst Wild
- Assistant Directors: Alexander Zimmermann, Franz Karl Müller
Publishers
A Telemondial Production.
Program © 1993 Telemondial.
Package © 2000 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
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#HerbertVonKarajan #BerlinerPhilharmoniker #Debussy #Ravel #LaMer #DaphnisEtChloe #FrenchImpressionism #ClassicalMusic #OrchestralDVD #KarajanLegacy #ClassicalConductors
