Famous Composers: The Life and Work of Maurice Ravel - DVD

Stravinsky was born into a musical family in the little town of Lermontov near St Petersburg. His father was principal bass singer at the opera there, so music was part of his life. He studied at the St Petersburg conservatioire under Rimsky Korsakov and was soon making an impression with his compositions. He had early successes with his ballet music for Diaghilev and over a long and productive life went on to become arguably the greatest composer of the twentieth century. The video traces his eventful life and ends with a brief overview of his compositions.

Tchaikovsky was born into a modest family on the bottom rank of the Russian aristocracy. His father was a mining engineer and after an early education from a French governess Tchaikovsky was sent to the School of Jurisprudence in St Petersburg Conservatory opened shortly afterwards and as one of it's first graduates he launched into the doubtful career of music composition. His gifts were soon recognised and he went on to achieve extraordinary international acclaim. The video traces his career and ends with an overview of his works.

Gustav Mahler Mahler was born into a poor family in a small town in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. His astonishing musical talent carried him from there to the heights of music in his day as a conductor and composer. His vast musical landscapes have made him into one of the most admired composers in the musical canon. This film by Malcolm Hossick traces his remarkable life and is followed by a brief overview of his works. Mahler was born into a poor family in a small town in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. His astonishing musical talent carried him from there to the heights of music in his day as a conductor and composer. His vast musical landscapes have made him into one of the most admired composers in the musical canon. This film by Malcolm Hossick traces his remarkable life and is followed by a brief overview of his works