The composer Claude Debussy was born in St. Germain-en-Laye, a few miles outside Paris, in 1862. While a pupil at the Conservatoire, he composed music that did not conform to the theory of the times. He contradicted his teachers by claiming that…

At the age of 20, Robert Schumann decided to dedicate himself to music. He became one of the greatest composers of the romanticism. This documentary covers Schumann’s life from 1828 until his early death in 1856. Excerpts of productions with Leonard…

How can a young Japanese woman carry on the legacy of the old jazz legends? The young Miho Hazama is a big name on the international jazz scene. In the US, she has been recognised as one of the 25 shooting stars who will shape the future of jazz. Now…

Take a pianist and composer from today's jazz scene, a curious musician constantly on the lookout for new experiences. Put him in the presence of soloists from the Ensemble Intercontemporain for a stimulating improvisation session. Then leave them to…

On the island of Ceylon, two pearl fishermen and childhood friends are torn apart by their love for the same woman, the young priestess Leïla. In this opera, which marks his debut, Bizet delivers luminous, tender music with a subtle Oriental flavour…

Richard Strauss’s Elektra was the sensation that ushered in modernity by at the same time popularizing it. Heroes on the verge of madness, just what the audience loves! The world comes tumbling down upon us, specifically here: the Straussian…

Meet conductor and cellist Klaus Mäkelä through the eyes of Bruno Monsaingeon. The legendary director discovered the young maestro's genius for the first time in 2021 at a concert by the Orchestre de Paris, when he was just 25 years old. A wave of…

The orchestra Les Métamorphoses and acclaimed cellist Pieter Wispelwey recorded an album around the works of Polish composer Mieczysław Weinberg in the summer of 2021. Weinberg's music recounts the traumas, loss and tragedies he endured throughout…

"I am Claudio - for all" quickly became a much-quoted quote from the maestro. Claudio Abbado empathised with his musicians. What particularly distinguished Claudio Abbado was his unpretentious, noble character, his democratic understanding of music…

1 – The Devil's Instrument This 2-part film explores the history of violin performance during the 20th century and using rare archival footage to illustrate the work of its most significant artists. Starting with a performance of Mendelssohn's…