Emperor Concerto DVD
New DVD completes largest recording project in Australia’s history
The release of a specially filmed-for-DVD performance of Beethoven’s most popular piano work, the Emperor Concerto, marks the climax of Gerard Willems’ Beethoven epic recording odyssey which commenced in 1997.
It's the largest classical music recording project ever undertaken in Australia, and comprises 12 CDs and one DVD. Following the release of the complete Beethoven piano concertos on CD in November 2003, Willems joined the small and select group of great pianists who have recorded all 32 sonatas and 5 concertos of the great composer. He is now at the helm of a world-first in that this is the only recording of the great Emperor Concerto filmed especially for DVD, in Widescreen and in Surround Sound. In addition to the performance of the Emperor, the DVD also boasts a number of unique Special Features including the first ever commentary by a performer of a classical work - Willems gives viewers a guided tour of the Emperor Concerto, during his performance.
Willems is the first Australian to record and release all of Beethoven’s 32 piano sonatas and 5 piano concertos (12 CDs of music) — arguably the greatest piano repertoire ever written and the Mount Everest for pianists. For this achievement he has already won 2 ARIA Awards and is the first pianist to take out the award. Willems chose the Australian-designed and manufactured Stuart and Sons piano, giving Beethoven’s music a uniquely Australian voice.
Willems recorded the concertos with the orchestra Sinfonia Australis, which was conducted by US-based Australian conductor Antony Walker. The DVD was filmed during the recording sessions of the Emperor Concerto so the viewer gets the CD quality sound together with an exciting visual account. The dynamic performance by this exciting young orchestra is captured with intimate clarity on the DVD. As this is not a public concert or mimed studio performance, but an actual recording session, the multi- camera coverage provides the viewer with unique perspectives of the soloist, orchestra and conductor.
The project was initiated by former cinematographer and television producer, Brendan Ward. Ward produced the ARIA-winning sonatas recordings, and is co-Executive Producer of the concertos and the Emperor DVD project. Filming of the Emperor Concerto was directed by Andrew Haughton, who produced and directed the multi-award-winning documentary on the SSO conductor, Stuart Challender.
EMPEROR DVD BONUS SPECIAL FEATURES
Emperor Performance With Commentary
In this unique feature, pianist Gerard Willems gives viewers a guided tour of the Emperor concerto, during his performance. He underlines the concerto’s historical connection with Napoleon, and offers a rare insight into the private world of the performer. He explains his vision of the concerto and how Beethoven created such an extraordinary work full of drama, passion and military fervour.
Preparing For The Emperor
Behind the scenes with pianist Gerard Willems and conductor Antony Walker as they prepare for the recording. According to Willems, the Emperor is a celebration that “gives people a great sense of optimism". Walker describes it as one long argument between piano and orchestra. Both artists discuss the relationship between conductor and soloist, and we see the concerto come to life during rehearsals.
Wayne Stuart – Piano Man
He’s been called insane, a visionary, and a genius. He’s Wayne Stuart, Australia’s revolutionary piano maker. This feature, narrated by Jana Wendt, unmasks the man behind the instrument and we find out what makes his piano different. Stuart tells us why he felt the piano needed to be rethought to “bring it into the 21st century”, and we discover a remarkable connection between Stuart’s musical past, and his current success.
The Beethoven Piano Masterclass
Imagine you’re a 16 year-old living in the Australian bush. Your father works on a farm, your older brother goes pig shooting, and your mother drives 500 kilometres every week to take you to your piano lesson. That was Jayson Gillham’s life when, as one of two gifted young Australian pianists, he was chosen for a rare musical prize: to play with a professional orchestra. We meet Jayson and 12 year-old Robert Manley, their families and teachers, and follow them from the bush to the city as they prepare for this once-in-a lifetime musical experience.
The concerto and DVD stage of the Beethoven-Stuart Piano recording project and the Beethoven Piano Masterclass were sponsored by Australia Post.