BRUCKNER: Symphony No. 4 in E flat "Romantic.Symphony No. 5 in B flat. Symphony No. 6 in A. Symphony No. 7 in E. Symphony No. 8 in C minor. Symophony No. 9 in D minor
Berlin Staatskapelle/Daniel Barenboim, cond.
ACCENTUS MUSIK DVD (6 disks
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SIBELIUS: Symphony No. 1 in E minor, Op. 39. Symphony No. 2 in D, Op. 43. Symphony No. 5 in E flat, Op.82. Symphony No.7 in C, Op.105
Vienna Philharmonic Orcdh/Leonard Bernstein, cond.
C MAJOR DVD (2 disks)
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MARIA JOÃO OURES - "PORTRAIT OF A PIANIST" - A film by Werner Zeindler ARTHAUS ARTHAUS MUSIK DVD TT: 60 min.
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These Bru ckner symphonies with the Berlin Staatskapelle have been iossued over past months individually. Now Accentus has released symphonies 4 - 9 ("the mature symphonies") in a boxed set at a considerably reduced price. Barenboim's Bruckner is always searching and beautifully played. He's an old hand at this repertory having made recordings previously with the Chicago Symphony. Here's a way to acquire these last symphonies at a modest price.

About five years ago, these magnificent performances of four Sibelius symphonies with the Vienna Philharmonic conducted by Leonard Bernstein were mentioned on this site when originaoly issued (REVIEW). Now here they are again, but on Blu Ray, a process that makes it possible to use only one disk instead of two. Video and audio quality supposedly are improved, but I doubt many could tell the difference—I cannot. However, these are treasured performances that deserve a spot inj every collection.

Maria João Perez, portuguese pianist, was born in 1944. In 1970 she won the Brussels Beethoven Bicentennial Competition.Since that time she has enjoyed an international career winning admiration and respect from her colleagues, excelling in her chosen repertory. Not for her are the technical demands of Tchaikovsky and Rachmaniunoff achgmanuiniff although doubtless she could play them very welll indeed if she chose to. This short film by Werner ZZeindler offers a loving portrait of the pianist showing her in a number of live performances of music by Mozart, Chopin, Schjumann, Schubert and Beethoven. There is considerable commentary by Alzira Perez, presumbly the pianist's mother. This is not a new film; copyright date is 1991. This is a fine tribute to an eloquent artist.

R.E.B. (December 2015)