Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #71713 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-11-12
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Classical, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 76 minutes

From Amazon.com
The extreme difficulties inherent in performing Beethoven's Missa Solemnis (which the very first performers complained about at an 1824 Vienna rehearsal) include Beethoven's imposing high notes for both the vocal soloists and members of the chorus. As he did in the final movement of his Ninth Symphony (the "Ode to Joy"), Beethoven was reaching for the Divine throughout his Solemn Mass, and there is no doubt that, in the right hands, true musical divinity is reached.

We are very near perfection in this glorious 1986 performance, preserved for posterity in all its digital glory. Conductor Michael Gielen leads the superb Südwestfunk Symphony Orchestra and Prague Philharmonic Choir, along with an excellent quartet of soloists: soprano Phyllis Bryn-Julson, alto Marjana Lipovsek, tenor Josef Protschka, and bass Kurt Rydl. The 500-year-old, gothic-style Amandus Church in Bad Urach, Germany, where this "Missa Solemnis" was filmed makes a striking and solemn backdrop to this often joyful music. The DVD's extras are plentiful and illuminating. There's translation of the text and musical analysis via subtitles, a glossary of musical terms, a historical timeline of world events while Beethoven was composing, and brief bios of performers and conductor. The 5.1 Dolby Digital sound is an aural knockout, but even in standard two-channel stereo, this is a musical event to cherish. --Kevin Filipski

Video Details
This moving performance of Ludwig van Beethoven's Missa Solemnis in D Major, Op. 123 features Michael Gielen conducting the Südwestfunk Symphony Orchestra with Lubomir Matl directing the Prague Philharmonic Choir. Soloist highlights include Bass, Kurt Rydl; Soprano, Phyllis Bryn-Julson; Alto, Marjana Lipovsek; and Tenor Josef Protschka. Added Features Include: Music Analysis in subtitles, Translation of choral text, Glossary, Historical Timeline, Performer Profiles and Liner Notes 5.1 Dolby Digital and original Non-compressed Stereo.

From the Back Cover
Michael Gielen conducts the Südwestfunk Symphony Orchestra and the Prague Philharmonic Choir in Beethoven's Missa Solemnis. This magnificent performance was filmed in the scenic 500-year-old gothic Amandus Church in Germany. Missa Solemnis is considered a sacred symphony with soloists and chorus. This mass is thought of as the culmination of Beethoven's work. In it, we hear the resonance of eight symphonies preceding it and an affinity with the ninth, completed soon after. The program also features Lubomir Matl as choral director; Phyllis Bryn-Julson, soprano; Marjana Lipovsek, alto; Josef Protschka, tenor; and Kurt Rydl, bass. Includes music analysis in subtitles, translation of choral text, glossary, historical timeline, performer profiles, liner notes, 5.1 Dolby digital and original noncompressed stereo. 76 minutes.