Symphony 1 - BLU-RAY

Christian Thielemann and the Staatskapelle Dresden already released the Bruckner symphonies Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 and continue their Bruckner Cycle at the Philharmonie in Munich with Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Bruckner's first masterful composition. Thielemann, widely regarded as the leading Brucknerian of our age, opted for the more lively early original Linz version of this symphony. Buckner himself called it Incha cheeky wenchInch and said about the finale InchNever again have I been so audacious and bold.Inch Christian Thielemann has been the Principal Conductor of the Staatskapelle Dresden for six years. In that time, and even from before, he has amassed a comprehensive catalogue of recordings. The Bruckner cycle with the Staatskapelle Dresden is his most ambitious and most well-received series yet.

Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 1 is an incomprehensible wonder of music history, rigorously peculiar, disturbingly new, and timelessly modern. InchWie ein NaturlautInch (Like a sound of nature) is indicated above the first notes of the symphony. It is both the prelude and the key to his symphonic cosmos as a whole. Mahler captures this music of the world, transforms it into a symphony in the old, comprehensive sense of the word and uses it to create his masterpiece of harmony. Composed over the course of just a few months at the beginning of 1888 in Leipzig, this symphony is a true musical awakening. Riccardo Chailly and the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig bring Mahler's sounds of nature to life in a riveting performance. This production was recorded live in January 2015 at the Gewandhaus zu Leipzig. As a bonus, this also includes an exclusive interview with Riccardo Chailly.

Flicker Alley, in partnership with Disobedient Films, proudly present London Symphony , a brand new silent film a city symphony which offers a poetic journey through the city of London. It is an artistic snapshot of the city as it stands today, and a celebration of its culture and diversity. The film is divided into four parts, corresponding to the four movements of a musical symphony. FIRST MOVEMENT: The first movement (morning) begins by looking at construction in the city, moving from the capital's oldest buildings to its newest. This contrast, between old and new, runs throughout the movement: old and new tube stations, old and new newspaper printing, old and new housing, etc. From there, the film moves on to explore London from above. The movement ends with a look at some of the capital's many monuments another reminder of the city's past. SECOND MOVEMENT: The second movement (morning-midday) travels through the city's quieter spaces, from its green parks to its agricultural fairs and markets. It then explores the vast array of food on offer in the city, celebrating this diversity while not shying away from the inequalities. THIRD MOVEMENT: The third movement (afternoon) explores the way people use the city, from the huge number of co-existing religions, to the way other people worship money and work, to shopping, to culture, museums and education. FOURTH MOVEMENT: The fourth movement (afternoon-evening) takes a trip along the Thames from East to West, exploring each of the bridges found along the way, before looking at the city in the rain. Finally, the film concludes with a look at evening events, and the city at night. Directed and edited by Alex Barrett, and featuring a soaring score by James McWilliam, London Symphony is a contemporary 'city symphony', a genre of creative non-fiction that flourished in the 1920s and consisted of works that attempted to build poetic portraits of urban life. The release of this Blu-ray coincides with the 90th anniversary of Walter Ruttmann's Berlin, Symphony of a Great City (1927), one of the most important examples of the original city symphonies. Ruttmann was one of the great pioneers of experimental film, and Barrett and McWilliam have worked hard to bring a similar sense of poetic playfulness to London Symphony , while also updating the form for the 21st Century. BONUS MATERIALS : - London Medley (1933) -- Courtesy of Film Preservation Associates, this 10-minute 'city symphony' (newly scanned in HD), is a fitting companion piece to London Symphony , presenting "intimate glimpses of life in the Old World's greatest metropolis." - Hungerford: Symphony of a London Bridge (2009) -- A direct precursor to London Symphony , this 3-minute film presents an abstract journey over Hungerford Bridge, London, and the footbridges alongside it. - Exclusive Interview with Filmmaker Alex Barrett