The Ride of the Valkyries, by Richard Wagner, in a classic recording with Wilhelm Furtwangler and the Vienna Philharmonic. Illustrations are by Arthur Rackham. "One golden summer in adolescence...I heard the 'Ride of the Valkyries' on a gramophone and saw Arthur Rackham's illustrations to The Ring." (CSLewis) The music: probably the most famous and instantly identifiable of Wagner's works is this short orchestral prelude from Die Walkure, the second opera in the monumental Der Ring des Nibelungen. It has gone on to enter popular culture, being used in many films, most notably the helicopter attack sequence in Apocalypse Now. In terms of composition it perfectly demonstrates Wagner's epic sense of drama, and also his masterful orchestration. The conductor: Wilhelm Furtwangler is probably unrivalled as an interpreter of the core Austro-German Romantic repertoire, setting benchmarks in the performance of Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, Wagner, Bruckner and others. His recordings include two complete Ring Cycles, both of them classics. The illustrations: Arthur Rackham was one of the greatest illustrators at the turn of the 19th century, creating classic visions for fairy tales and fantasies (Alice, Peter Pan, etc.). His work on Der Ring des Nibelungen is often considered one of the finest visual depictions of Wagner's epic. Sound: sorry the quality isn't first class - the recording is nearly sixty years old! (Imagine what Furtwangler could do with digital surround sound <b>...</b>

Richard Wagner Ride of the Valkyries Furtwangler Vienna Philharmonic Die Walkure Mimameior

The third movement of the Symphony No.3 by Brahms, in a recording by the Berlin Philharmonic under the legendary conductor Wilhelm Furtwangler. This movement contains one of Brahms's most delectable melodies, tender, wistful, rich in poignancy. I have tried to select photos that will fit well with the overall mood of the piece. I hope you enjoy it. The recording is a live one, so there is some (very minor) audience noise. It's hardly distracting. If you have any comments or suggestions please contact me...

Johannes Brahms Symphony No.3 Furtwangler Berlin Philharmonic Poco Allegretto Mimameior

A recording of Stravinsky's Symphony in C, with the composer himself leading the Cleveland Orchestra. I have fitted it to Art Deco designs by the Russian artist Romain de Tirtoff, commonly known as Erte. I'm not sure how well the two styles go together, but please give me your opinion.

Igor Stravinsky Erte Symphony in Romain de Tirtoff Art Deco Mimameior

This is a wonderful recording of Prokofiev's 'Classical' Symphony played by the Boston Symphony Orchestra under the legendary Sergei Koussevitsky. Sound quality is very good for a recording from 1947. I hope you enjoy listening, and do check out part two! Also, do drop me a message if you have any comments, suggestions or constructive criticism... (To the best of my knowledge all material in this video is public domain.)

Sergei Prokofiev Classical Symphony no 1 Koussevitsky Boston Orchestra Great Recording Mimameior

The second part of Prokofiev's 'Classical' Symphony, performed by Sergei Koussevitsky and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Hope you enjoy, and do contact me if you have any comments, etc. (To the best of my knowledge all material used in this film is public domain.)

Sergei Prokofiev Symphony no Classical Koussevitsky Boston Orchestra Great Recording Mimameior

The legendary recording of the Pearl Fishers Duet, with the thrilling voices of Jussi Björling and Robert Merrill. The RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra is led by Renato Cellini. Recorded in 1950, this version of the great Bizet duet is unarguably a classic, and still the finest version around. My video seeks to commemorate the lives of these wonderful singers: they are true legends, and should never be forgotten. '"Au fond du temple saint...was always top of listener's polls for the BBC's Your Hundred Best Tunes. It was also No 1. in ABC's "The Classic 100 Opera", a poll in which Australians voted for the one moment in opera they could not live without.'(Wikipedia)

Pearl Fishers Duet Jussi Björling Robert Merrill Bizet Classic Great Recording Opera Aria Mimameior

The famous Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana, the sensational verismo opera composed by Pietro Mascagni (1863-1945). Written in great haste, for submission to a competition, it was his first operatic work. It won first prize, Mascagni received forty curtain calls, and next morning the Intermezzo was being whistled in the streets. Cavalleria Rusticana went on to take the world by storm, and by the time Mascagni died it had been performed over fourteen thousand times in Italy alone. This orchestral interlude, the most popular excerpt from the opera, is intensely dramatic and comes at a crucial point in the story. Played over the setting of an empty square, the villagers having gathered for a church service, it is itself a moment of quiet, a brief respite from the naked emotions of the drama. At the same time, however, it looks back over the mounting passion and betrayal that preceded it, and foreshadows the bloodshed and tragedy to come. I hope you enjoy this video - feel free to comment, or contact me.

Intermezzo Cavalleria Rusticana Pietro Mascagni Sicily Verismo Opera Mimameior