In Spring 2009, the year of Joseph Haydn, Xavier de Maistre was invited to the Esterházy Castle in Eisenstadt, where the composer officiated nearly thirty years. After an introduction in which he plays a solo Fantasy on a Theme of Haydn by Marcel…

Waltz, a revolutionary thing? Historically, it was the first dance having couples clasping each other, men and women hugging, whirling to the rhythm of its music to the point of giddiness and rapture. A dance with a triple time rhythm both simple and…

The 420-member company of the Deutsche Oper Berlin brought "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg", "Tristan and Isolde" and "Lohengrin" to Tokyo. The privately-operated Tokyo Ballet performed "Kabuki" and "M", in Berlin. Our film takes a look at the work…

A magnificent Christmas concert, with music ranging from motets to popular Christmas standards, performed by Leipzig's world famous boys' choir. A fascinating half-hour documentary examines the history of the choir from its foundation in the early…

The televised recording of this singular concert with the Russian monastery choir took place in the Cathedral of Ulm, the tallest Gothic parish church in Germany. In conjunction with the millenium of the Christianization of Russia, the monastery…

A portrait of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, the world's oldest orchestra never to have been associated with an aristocratic court! Our film recounts the highs and lows of the orchestra's extensive and fluctuating history.

This ballet, choreographed by James Kudelka, and set to Vivaldi’s celebrated score, describes the four seasons in a man’s life – from the exuberance of youth in “Spring” to the resignation and compassion of old age in “Winter”. Director of Record…

The Firebird is an exciting one-hour dance special based on the mystical Russian folk tale of enchantment and love, and set to Stravinsky’s fantastical ballet score. This adaption of James Kudelka’s masterpiece for the stage, combines classical…

Testing Mozart is a 60 minute film about the "Mozart Effect", the power of Mozart's music to fight disease and increase the mental ability of its listeners. It is common knowledge that cows give more milk and tomatoes grow bigger when played Mozart…

The life of an orchestra musician is marvelous. Mozart, Schubert and Strauss surround you. All day long you hear beautiful music. What other people pay a lot of money for, you get paid to do. You are gifted, you bring joy into people’s lives…