Bayreuth and Salzburg – the two most famous festival cities in the classical music world. Every year they outdo each other with artistic excellence and social glamour. Until a virus called “SARS-Cov-19” plunged the world into a deep crisis in early 2020 – and with it the festival cities. This documentary examines how Bayreuth and Salzburg dealt with the consquences of the Corona pandemic. How did the “Salzburg model” work, where a way was found to save the festival and limit the economic damage? And what does the cancellation of the Wagner Festival mean for Bayreuth and its artists?

Until a virus called “SARS-Cov-19” plunged the world into a deep crisis in early 2020 – and with it the festival cities.

Festival Cities and the Crisis

November 2020: the audience follows Janine fly-on-the wall from initial research and rehearsals in Stockholm, to a hectic month in London where, accompanied on the piano by Pappano, the legendary Director of the Royal Opera, she becomes acquainted with each of the violins and select works that fit them best. Made by the legendary luthier Antonio Stradivarius, some of these violins have not been played for 200 years while others belonged to the greatest virtuosos ever, including Fritz Kreisler, Nathan Milstein, Ida Haendel and Oscar Shumsky, all featured in the film in powerful archive. Learning their histories, and coming to grips with their foibles, Janine then falls ill with Covid. Nevertheless, in a virtuoso feat of determination, she recovers to rehearse and record this astonishing album with just a day to spare before the first violin must be returned to its owner. This is a nerve-wracking, intense, and hugely exciting film, where, up close and personal, we see not only what makes these the most unique stringed instruments in the world, but also the enormous humour, spark and energy that drives two of the world’s leading musicians at the top of their creative game.

Janine Jansen embarks on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to record a new album on twelve of the greatest violins to have ever been created.

Janine Jansen: Falling for Stradivari

Some years before becoming King, Prince Charles explores the life and music of one of his favourite composers, Sir Hubert Parry.

Best known today for his tune Jerusalem, Parry was one of the leading lights in British music in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His work has inspired and influenced British greats like Edward Elgar and Ralph Vaughan Williams. 

In this insightful documentary, Prince Charles visits Westminster Abbey to hear the anthem I was glad, which he will hear again when processing into the Abbey for his coronation as King Charles III. Prince Charles also talks to musicians, musicologists, and members of Parry’s family to identify what makes Parry’s music sound English.

King Charles III explores the music of one of his favourite composers, Hubert Parry – famous for the tune of ‘Jerusalem’.

The Prince and The Composer

Prepare to be swept away by director Phil Grabsky's multi-sensory exploration of the genius of Franz Joseph Haydn.

Haydn's life spanned a musical revolution, bridging the Baroque and Romantic eras. This film, narrated by Juliet Stevenson, uncovers his world, his inspirations, and his prolific output—over 100 symphonies, 64 string quartets, and beloved oratorios like “The Creation” and “The Seasons."

"In Search of Haydn" isn't just a chronological biography. It places Austria’s "Father of the Symphony" center stage, showcasing captivating performances and offering a rich understanding of Haydn's artistic process through his own writings. It underscores a master composer instrumental in the development of chamber music who inspired both Mozart and Beethoven.

He was Beethoven’s tutor, Mozart’s friend, and a master composer. Delve into the life and legacy of Franz Joseph Haydn. 

In Search of Haydn

This documentary reveals the fascinating life, mind, and work of John Cage, one of the 20th century's most influential composers and thinkers.

Renowned for his groundbreaking work, including his controversial 1952 composition 4'33'', Cage was not only an artistic pioneer but a deep and philosophical thinker. When filmmaker Frank Scheffer first met Cage, their short conversation says Scheffer, ''changed my life as an artist.'' Over a decade, Scheffer collaborated closely with the composer, collecting a treasure trove of historical audio-visual material. This unique archive, comprised of interviews, musical performances, and evocative 16mm footage from Cage’s life comes together to capture the essence of this influential artist who had such a profound impact on the filmmaker. 

An essential watch for creatives, expect to learn some of Cage's creative techniques and guiding philosophies like the old Chinese methods based on the I Ching, and dive into the world of boundary-changing creativity. 

This intimate documentary reveals the fascinating life, mind, and work of John Cage, one of the 20th century's most influential composers and thinkers. 

How To Get Out Of The Cage - A Year With John Cage

One of the best loved conductors, Bernard Haitink, retired recently at the age of 90. Bridcut ́s documentary observes him at work as he prepares his final concerts. Some of the musicians he has worked with try to explain the secrets of his conducting technique, while Haitink himself talks about how his approach has changed during his 68 years in front of orchestras and gives advice to young musicians hoping to follow in his footsteps.

Bernard Haitink talks about how his approach to conducting has changed during his 68 years in front of orchestras.

Bernard Haitink: The Enigmatic Maestro

Christian Spuck brought one of Verdi’s key works to the stage with Messa da Requiem. In a mega co-production by the Opera and Ballet Zürich, the German choreographer and director portrays a profound interpretation of Verdi’s funeral mass in his scenic-choreographic production.

Christian Spuck brought one of Verdi’s key works to the stage with Messa da Requiem

Stepping into the Unknown

More than thirty years after her retirement, Britain's greatest classical singer of the 20th century, Dame Janet Baker, talks more openly and emotionally than ever before about her voice, her career and her life today. With excerpts of her greatest stage roles (Dido, Mary Stuart, Julius Caesar and Orpheus), as well as of her appearances in the concert hall and recording studio (works by Handel, Berlioz, Schubert, Elgar, Britten and Mahler), she looks back at the excitements and pitfalls of public performance.

Britain's greatest classical singer of the 20th century, Dame Janet Baker, talks more openly and emotionally than ever before about her life

Janet Baker In Her Own Words

This poignant documentary tells the story of Latvian Maestro Mariss Jansons, painting a portrait of the man and his music-making through the four orchestras that were central to his life: the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Concertgebouworkest, and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. 

It's impossible not to feel Jansons' infectious passion for music in every performance. Discover his musical legacy as seen through the eyes of the musicians he led as Music Director or Chief Conductor. Through specially filmed performances, archival footage, and exclusive interviews see the indelible mark Jansons left on these orchestras and the the world of music. Each orchestra contributes a specially filmed performance dedicated to the mighty Maestro. 

Discover the musical legacy of Maestro Mariss Jansons as told by the four orchestras central to his legacy.

Mariss Jansons: A Tale of Four Orchestras

A critically acclaimed film uncovering the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of Frédéric Chopin, who composed some of the most profound and powerful music ever written.

Over four years, award-winning filmmaker Phil Grabsky traveled Europe interviewing renowned historians and musicologists to piece together a comprehensive profile of Chopin's life. Performances and insights from world-class musicians, including Daniel Barenboim, Leif Ove Andsnes, and Ronald Brautigam, reveal the genius of a pianist unparalleled in his generation.

Despite his groundbreaking fluidity and expressiveness at the piano, Chopin gave only 30 public concerts in his short life. Yet his music continues to fill concert halls worldwide, and his grave in Paris remains a revered pilgrimage site. Narrated by Juliet Stevenson and featuring RSC actor David Dawson voicing Chopin’s letters, this documentary captures the essence of one of history's greatest composers.

A shy virtuoso and tortured genius, whose music continues to enchant. Journey through the life and loves of Frédéric Chopin.

In Search of Chopin

Tony Palmer's film was the first major exploration of the life and career of the great American soprano, Renée Fleming - for many the epitome of the modern-day diva. Share an intimate visit with Renée behind the scenes, at home and on stage as she rehearses and performs in Verdi's Otello and Requiem, and sings Strauss, Mozart, Dvorák, Korngold, Ellington, Gershwin, Puccini, Massenet, and Rachmaninoff.

ony Palmer's film was the first major exploration of the life and career of the great American soprano, Renée Fleming

Ladies and Gentlemen, Miss Renée Fleming

Hosted by Martin Scorsese with insight from church parishioners and comedian Jim Gaffigan (along with his wife and his five kids), The Oratorio is a documentary about the roots of opera in New York City.

Hosted by Martin Scorsese, The Oratorio is a documentary about the roots of opera in New York City.

The Oratorio: A Documentary with Martin Scorsese

The 2016 Grand Prix winner at International Television Festival Golden Prague, The Pianist of Yarmouk tells the true story of Ayham Ahmad - a Syrian refugee musician. Surrounded by ruins in Syria’s capital Damascus, Ayham sings accompanied by an out-of-tune piano about migration, hunger and death, until he is forced to flee to Germany. After his arrival in Munich, we follow the life of a man who sang out against the suffering in his country until his instrument was destroyed. His story is just one of many - one instance out of thousands who have been robbed of hopes and dreams and forced to build a new existance.new existence.

The Pianist of Yarmouk tells the true story of Ayham Ahmad - a Syrian refugee musician.

The Pianist of Yarmouk

A Zen master or an expert on chance? A specialist in mushrooms or a per­formance artist? The inventor of new sounds or a cook? An author or an anarchist? John Cage was all of these things. This documentary by Oscar-winner Allan Miller and Emmy-winner Paul Smaczny pays tribute to the most fascinating American avant-garde composer John Cage. Shot in America, Germany and Japan, the program presents rare archival footage and features interviews with Yoko Ono, David Tudor, Christian Wolff, Steffen Schleiermacher, Irvine Arditti, Toshio Hosokawa, Mayumi Miyata, Calvin Tomkins and many others.

This documentary by Oscar-winner Allan Miller and Emmy-winner Paul Smaczny pays tribute to the fascinating American avant-garde composer John Cage.

John Cage: Journeys in Sound

Former principal of The Royal Ballet and Strictly Come Dancing judge Darcey Bussell knows all too well what it takes to make it as a prima ballerina. In A Ballerina's Life (part 2 of this fascinating two-part collection) she gives an illuminating account of her own career from its earliest days. Accompanying clips, which include some of Bussell’s most lauded performances, provide a feast for the senses and make this a must-watch for enthusiasts.

Darcey Bussell gives an illuminating account of her own career from its earliest days.

Darcey Bussell: A Ballerina's Life

Recommendations

For Richard Wagner there only seems to be either lovers or haters! No other composer is - rightly - as highly controversial as Wagner. He was an anti-Semitic, he had debts everywhere and surely abandoned every person he ever shook hands with - still there are more than 125 so called Wagner Societies all around the globe. In the pursuit of an answer to the question: How, to until this day, did such massive hype and such a almost religious like, cult following develop all over the world.

For Richard Wagner there only seems to be either lovers or haters! No other composer is - rightly - as highly controversial as Wagner.

Global Wagner - From Bayreuth to the World

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