- Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
- Video Codec: AVC/MPEG-4
- Resolution: 1080i/60
- Audio Codec: PCM 2.0 Stereo; DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
- Subtitles: Italian
- Region: ABC (Region-Free)
- Rating: Not Rated
- Discs: 1
- Studio: Arthaus Musik
- Blu-ray Release Date: September 27, 2011
- List Price: $39.98
[amazon-product region=”uk” tracking_id=”bluraydefinit-21″]B005FAH17A[/amazon-product]
[amazon-product]B005FAH17A[/amazon-product]
BestBuy.com:
Purchase The Chopin Piano Concertos on Blu-ray at CD Universe
Shop for more Blu-ray titles at Amazon.com
Overall
[Rating:4/5]
The Performance
[Rating:4/5]
Video Quality
[Rating:4/5]
Audio Quality
[Rating:3.5/5]
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:0.5/5]
Click thumbnails for high-resolution 1920X1080p screen captures
(Screen captures are lightly compressed with lossy JPEG thus are meant as a general representation of the content and do not fully reveal the capabilities of the Blu-ray format)
–
The Performance
[Rating:4/5]
2010 was the bicentenary of Fredric Chopin’s birth and ushered in a raft of recordings and videos of his works, primarily for piano. This 2010 Ruhr Piano Festival captures world renowned piano/conductor virtuoso, Daniel Barenboim, and the Staatskapelle Berlin orchestra, directed by young Andris Nelsons, a rising star maestro. The program is quite generous, beginning with a deft reading of Haydn’s so-called “mourning” symphony, with both Chopin piano concerti to follow. The joy of the Chopin works is that they are subject to so many differing approaches that seem to work musically. Pianist Barenboim takes on both concerti with a fresh face, illuminating their inner voices with gorgeous detail and respect for their tempi that makes them seem new all over again. There is limitless pleasure in hearing the subordination of technique for technique’s sake, a common pitfall of Chopin performances, to the abundant musical riches of these two piano war horses. As a bonus, Barenboim throws in an evocative rendering of the Chopin Valse brillante in A minor, Op 34/2. Walking the double yellow line between bravura and honesty, Barenboim keeps a near perfect balance throughout. Videography is generally excellent and the sound palette, warm and engaging, if not state-of-the-art.
Video Quality
[Rating:4/5]
The visual aspects of this concert are well handled by director Sanchez Lansch with loving close ups of Barenboim and detailed coverage of the supporting orchestral players. It conveys a sense of presence that will make viewers feel that they have attended this program in person. Balance between pan and scan shots is excellent.
Audio Quality
[Rating:3.5/5]
The hall perspective is that of an orchestra seat nearer to the back than front. As such, the clarity of the music is maintained but without the usual highlights of most HD programs. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack has limited ambience and sounds a bit dry to my ear. Nothing objectionable, just not at the top of the high resolution audio game.
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:0.5/5]
Trailers for other Arthaus Musik videos only. You would think that the 200 candle event would evoke more tribute for Chopin.
The Definitive Word
Overall:
[Rating:4/5]
The musicianship of this video certainly carries the day and makes this mostly Chopin program a great watch and listen. The synergy between the youthful conductor Nelsons and his venerable soloist Barenboim is astonishing at times, even though I am certain that they have not played together very often. More to the point, great Chopin playing is the order of the day which this BD definitely delivers. There is competition from an excellent BD featuring pianists Demidenko and Kissin, supported by the Warsaw Philharmonic under Antoni Wit. In many respects, such comparisons are artistic apples and oranges since the pianistic styles differ so widely. Chopin lovers will probably need to get both to be satisfied on all counts. With the exception of the somewhat pedestrian aspect of the audio recording, the remainder of this current release is excellent and will give viewers a great deal of recurring pleasure.
Additional Screen Captures
–
[amazon-product region=”uk” tracking_id=”bluraydefinit-21″]B005FAH17A[/amazon-product]
[amazon-product]B005FAH17A[/amazon-product]
BestBuy.com:
Purchase The Chopin Piano Concertos on Blu-ray at CD Universe
Shop for more Blu-ray titles at Amazon.com
Overall
[Rating:4/5]
The Performance
[Rating:4/5]
Video Quality
[Rating:4/5]
Audio Quality
[Rating:3.5/5]
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:0.5/5]
–
