Schumann - Dichterliebe, Schonberg - Pierrot Lunaire / Christine Schafer, Pierre Boulez

Rating:
Summary: Modern scenes with original (real Schoenberg ).
Review: This is an excellent video of Schoenberg's Pierrot Lunaire with an actual performance of Schoenberg's music with Pierrot Boulez doing an excellent job. Christine Schafer does an excellent performance. The visuals are far from classical; neverthless, are completely in the spirit of Pierrot Lunaire. Computer effects and animations are heavy, as well as modern interpretations by director Oliver Hermann; but, the soundtrack itself is totally classical Schoenberg. Adult scenes make this a questionable choice for young viewers-- they truely do make intellectual statements which are disturbing and nightmarish. This DVD would appeal to both those who like modern music for the visuals, and those who like modern classical music for the actual music itself. This DVD is in region code zero, and works fine on US machines. The 37 minute performance of Pierrot is accompanied with Schumann's Dichterliebe, and a huge interview, both of which are disappointing. It would have been better to have kept up with more Schoenberg and those brilliant surreal interpretations in the 37 minute portion. Of course, subtitles are available, but only if you push the right buttons manually.