On August 30th 1969 five young artists, all of whom were beginning to be established as international artists of the highest rank, came together to play Schubert's "Trout Quintet" in the new Queen Elizabeth Hall in London. Their names: Itzhak Perlman…

Hallelujah is full of dramatic contrasts, both visually and musically - from the grandeur of the full orchestra and chorus to the simplicity of two choir boys singing a prayer on the Nave steps.

In 1808 the composer and violinist Louis Spohr was invited to a rehearsal in Beethoven's house of the D Major Piano Trio, Opus 70, No.1 known as The Ghost, and wrote of the occasion: "It was not an enjoyable experience. First of all the piano was…

1970 was the 200th anniversary of Ludwig van Beethoven’s birth and, to mark the occasion, Daniel Barenboim and Christopher Nupen collaborated on a thirteen-part series about the man and his music. Close friends at the time, Barenboim as artist and…

Carlos Kleiber is paradox - a conductor who dislikes performing in public. Son of the great Erich Kleiber, he detests routine performing, and always gives his utmost whenever he conducts. This film gives us a fascinating glimpse into the brilliant…

John Williams is almost certainly the most accomplished performer on the Spanish classical guitar that the world has ever seen. Guitar technique was considerably developed and extended in the early years of this century by Andrés Segovia, but he was…

This epic opera, inspired by Shakespeare's tragic masterpiece, was the first recording from Glyndebourne. The designer, Emanuele Luzzati, created a series of stunning visual impressions, including the chilling witches' chorus, the banquet at which…

With an introduction by Sir John Gielgud, this first-rate performance took place at the Winchester Cathedral.

In 1972, when Vladimir Ashkenazy was at a new peak both in his playing and in his career, we planned with him to shoot two recitals for television, one Chopin and one Beethoven. For quite some time he had been extremely reluctant to perform in…

In 1972, when Vladimir Ashkenazy was at a new peak both in his playing and in his career, we planned with him to shoot two recitals for television, one Chopin and one Beethoven. For quite some time, Ashkenazy had been extremely reluctant to perform…