Arthaus Musik Klemperer:The Last Concert [Otto Klemperer] [ARTHAUS MUSIK:109289] [DVD] [Region Free [NTSC]

Otto Klemperer (1885-1973) was one of the most significant and influential conductors of the 20th century. His interpretations of Ludwig van Beethoven, Johannes Brahms, Anton Bruckner and Gustav Mahler still set the benchmark for a new generation of conductors today. Klemperer grew up in the times of the German Empire and celebrated his first successes at the beginning of the 20th century. During the Weimar Republic, he then made a real career, which found its climax in his legendary management of the Berlin Krolloper. Meanwhile, he also attracted great attention in the Soviet Union. The Nazi regime forced Klemperer into exile in the USA in 1933. After World War II, he spent three years at the State Opera in Budapest, then settled in Zurich in 1954. It followed a late flowering with the London Philharmonia Orchestra and regular guest appearances with Europe's major orchestras. He gave his last concert in September 1971. Restored, revised and finally republished after 20 years in OTTO KLEMPERER S LONG JOURNEY THROUGH HIS TIMES, Philo Bregstein Klemperer's fascinating career traces through a rich selection of historical film, photo and sound material. We frequently hear Klemperer himself telling his story, as well as many of his long-time friends and colleagues, musicians and singers who knew him well, and also his daughter Lotte Klemperer. KLEMPERER THE LAST CONCERT is a documentary with its exclusive footage with rehearsals and the actually last concert Klemperer on September 26, 1971 in London that can be considered Klemperer's musical testament in film. Only a few months before, Klemperer had put off his lifelong reluctance to be filmed and Philo Bregstein had allowed him to accompany him filmally. The history and creation of both films, Klemperer's own place as a musical visionary and his legacy to the musician generations after him are explained in the 180-page book in this unique edition. The book brings together introductions by the director and his team and special, in-depth contributions from renowned musicologists with a large number of rare photographic material. As a special feature, this edition contains not only the complete audio recording of the last concert of September 26, 1971, digitally remastered, but also rehearsal recordings and never-before-seen interviews from 1972 with Klemperer's close acquaintances Ernst Bloch and Pierre Boulez. Conductor: Otto Klemperer Director: Philo Bregstein Choir/Orchestra: New Philharmonia Orchestra Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven Johannes Brahms Aspect Ratio: 16:09 (main film) / 4:3 (concert recording, bonus material); NTSC Number of discs: 2 x DVD & 2 x Audio CD Sound: PCM stereo (DVDs), mono, digitally remastered (CDs). Subtitles: EN, DE, FR, JP, KOR Extras: Klemperer's last concert digitally remastered on 2 CDs. Production year: 2016/1971. Running time: 100 minutes (The Long Journey) / 74 min (The Last Concert) / 35 mins (bonus material) / 88 min (concert on audio CDs) Review Splendidly realised. --MusicWeb,Jan'17