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Digital Classics DVDs It is worth exploring documentary companies' websites for discs which may easily be missed. A batch of DVDs received from this enterprising firm has given us considerable interest and pleasure. There is a documentary component to them all, purely so in Matisse Picasso, directed by Philippe Kohly.
This is a most enjoyable film recording for TV of a thoroughly commanding, devotional and moving account of one of Olivier Messiaen's most well-known and highly-favoured organ works, a cycle of nine meditations on the Christmas message. The presentation on this hour-long DVD is, for the most part, unfussy and business-like, allowing ample observation of Jennifer Bate in action at the mighty Norwich console; this is especially rewarding, because the often complex and tricky management of the instrument itself - particularly throughout the course of a timbrally complex cycle such as this one - is a thing rarely seen (as indeed, much of the time, is the organist!), and more or less impossible to appreciate unless one happens to be a player oneself. The recorded organ sound is close and clear throughout, and Bate's great love of the music and sheer joy in performing are strongly evident; it is indeed no wonder that Messiaen himself came to regard her as his 'organist of choice'. In her hands, the music hangs timelessly in the air,breathes, dances and sometimes thunders with terrifying weight. I hope very much that there will be further releases of this kind: it would be fascinating, for instance, to see Bate in action performing those cycles which require a really heroic level of concentration and organ-management, such as "Meditations sur le Mystere de la Sainte Trinité" and the monumental "Livre du Saint Sacrement". There are only two small things which I found a little irritating in this video: the appearances, on screen, of the biblical quotations relevant to each movement, which interrupted the visual flow, coming, as they did, only a few seconds after each movement began - it would have been more satisfactory to have seen these quotations together with the titles; and I could have done without some of the non-organ-focussed visuals, i.e. the filmed wildlife seen during the fourth movement, "Le Verbe". Michael Bonaventure Sample Jennifer Bates' performance on YouTube
Andras Schiff plays Chopin [Digital Classics DC10003] This is a strange production with important shortcomings, but it will give great pleasure to purchasers who don't know too much about Chopin and will enjoy hearing some of his music on unusual instruments. Andras Schiff combines a recital of all the Chopin Preludes filmed in the restored Concert Hall of the Ancien Conservatoire in Paris, where Chopin himself frequently gave concerts, with a biographical TV lecture on Chopin's life which has quite a few points that were new to us.. Schiff plays on a 19th C Pleyel Grand Piano, prepared by Fabrini, with whom he has a close association, and whose logo is rather inappropriately emblazoned on its side. It appears to be the same instrument featured in Schiff's 2001 series at Wigmore Hall: " - - the prime critical importance lay in the two pianos played, which brought an audience, most of whom were probably uninvolved in the 'authentic instrument' controversies, face to face with thinking about possible alternatives to the ubiquitous Steinway. As Schiff put it, with gentle good humour, we have been brainwashed into taking for granted that pianos should always be black and made by Steinway - - ". The recorded sound on the DVD is good but, in truth, not greatly different from that of the Steinway on which are played most of the lecture illustrations (partly with voice over). Schiff's easy-going commentary goes smoothly, talking over excerpts (only !) of the 25 items listed in the booklet. Close ups in the film suggested that the frame and case are original, but the felt of the hammers and dampers had been renewed. It would be good to know something about the strings; the playing suggested that the touch is considerably lighter that that of a typical modern Steinway grand, of which my most recent and nightmare experience was of Kissin at Lucerne:- " - - pyrotechnic acrobatics characterised by sheer velocity and power - - He pounded the keyboard so that the fast ones thundered by with often idiosyncratic emphases, and the tiny slow pieces, some of which every child used to learn to play - - were expanded and distorted to the limit of self indulgence. One was left wondering if Kissin had ever interested himself to play instruments of Chopin's own time or to think about how the Preludes might have sounded when new? ". Schiff's account of the Preludes is characterised, on the other hand, by inwardness and ease of execution, the sound sufficiently different from a Steinway as to encourage attentive listening to this so familiar music, a pinnacle in Chopin's oeuvre. Peter Grahame Woolf
The Rosamunde Quartet (Celibadache's Heritage) [Digital Classics £12.99: 60 minutes] The Rosamunde Quartet’s promotional DVD certainly gives an interesting insight into their four way marriage. To be commended is that it does not gloss over the more gritty aspects of their profession. The quartet do not always agree; constantly striving for the best, heated debates flourish. However their mutual respect, shared humour and the satisfaction they gain from their artistic connection are highly evident. Snapshots of how music fits into their everyday lives are intriguing. Brutally honest, Anja Lechner admits she was not a prodigy; cello was something she had to work hard at to master. Simon Fordham practices Japanese calligraphy in his spare time; the proportion, clarity and control required for this mirroring his role as second violinist in the quartet. Similarly their viola player, Helmut Nicola, finds balance and tranquillity in nature. Andreas Reiner, a driving force, not only leads the quartet but has also founded his own record label. Shared by all four is a reverence for their late mentor, Sergiu Celibadache, as well as a love of sushi! Although not primarily a showcase of their performances the viewer is treated to some gems, including some of the vibrant music created during their collaboration with the Argentinian Dino Saluzzi. There is something for everyone, Luigi Nono for contemporary music fans and Beethoven for the classicists, showing the wide variety of styles embraced by The Rosamunde Quartet Anna Michel
Two Dance discs are very different from each other. The range of music was wide, with the scores for Satie's Gnossiennes, the collaborative Simple Things and Twilight to Cage's Sonatas for Prepared Piano outstanding, and footage with van Manen himself at work gave it all context, explaining the affection and esteem in which he is held. The dance interpretation of the slow movement of the Hammerklavier sonata (illustrated) The costuming throughout all these items contributed substantially to the whole. Strongly recommended. Peter Grahame Woolf
For those of us who have enjoyed watching ballet without understanding its private language, this double DVD is illuminating and unexpectedly compelling to watch. Peter Grahame Woolf
Matisse Picasso [Digital Classics DC10045] “You have to be able to picture side by side everything Matisse and I were doing at the time. No one has ever looked at Matisse’s painting more carefully than I; and no one has looked at mine more carefully than he.” - Picasso With contributions from Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Statistics for museum attendances suggest that there exists a hunger for visual arts, yet many people have little or no opportunity to visit museums. This DVD should have a ready and appreciative audience. Alexa Woolf
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was delightfully expressive, even though the piano playing sounded wooden after recently enjoying Barenboim's recital DVDs from Berlin. 
Maya Widmaier-Picasso, Claude Picasso, Jacqueline Matisse-Monier, Pierre Daix & Hilary Spurling, this is a compilation from French TV films, archive materials and interviews, most interesting the first hand recollections by family members, in particular Françoise Gilot, Picasso's partner 1945-53.