Opening Concert Berlin: 750 Years

Rating:
Summary: Opening Concert Berlin 750 Years
Review: I thought at first that having Mozart's "Divertimento K.334" mixed with "Also sprach Zarathustra" by Richard Strauss was a little odd. I believe that these choices were mostly done due to the rich history of Berlin, and how works such as these were important to the Berliners, and Austrians. Berlin and Vienna's musical elite, such as Sigmund von Robinig would commission works to be played in their salons, such as "Divertissements" or "Divertimento's." This was the order of the day for many elites, since they could afford to commission private musicians for years. This fasinating work was done in 1779, one year before the so-called start of Mozart's Golden Decade. These five separate movements are a continual testament of Mozart's genius and musical ability. Karajan's powerful allegro cycles through the moods of the Andante, Menuetto, Adagio, and back again for the Rondo/Allegro. Only Karajan can slap a person's mind with Mozart, then offer up Strauss before the smelling salts can be administered. This twist in the evening with the tone poem Zarathurstra can actually bring back moments of the Space Odyssey 2001. This flying through the color spectrum at the speed of light would even wow Arthur C. Clarke. This DVD is a must have for any collector of the Herbert von Karajan legacy videos, or with anyone with a yearning to experience again the Odyssey masterpiece!!

Rating:
Summary: Opening Concert Berlin 750 Years
Review: I thought at first that having Mozart's "Divertimento K.334" mixed with "Also sprach Zarathustra" by Richard Strauss was a little odd. I believe that these choices were mostly done due to the rich history of Berlin, and how works such as these were important to the Berliners, and Austrians. Berlin and Vienna's musical elite, such as Sigmund von Robinig would commission works to be played in their salons, such as "Divertissements" or "Divertimento's." This was the order of the day for many elites, since they could afford to commission private musicians for years. This fasinating work was done in 1779, one year before the so-called start of Mozart's Golden Decade. These five separate movements are a continual testament of Mozart's genius and musical ability. Karajan's powerful allegro cycles through the moods of the Andante, Menuetto, Adagio, and back again for the Rondo/Allegro. Only Karajan can slap a person's mind with Mozart, then offer up Strauss before the smelling salts can be administered. This twist in the evening with the tone poem Zarathurstra can actually bring back moments of the Space Odyssey 2001. This flying through the color spectrum at the speed of light would even wow Arthur C. Clarke. This DVD is a must have for any collector of the Herbert von Karajan legacy videos, or with anyone with a yearning to experience again the Odyssey masterpiece!!