Two straight (but not really) guys invite two naive (but not really) prostitutes for a night of sex. In the preliminary conversations, a little poetry, a lot of philosophy and heavy doses of vulgarity, all with Beethoven in the background. But when it comes to sex, the truth comes out.

Showcasing a musical masterpiece in a rare full-length television recording by the Vienna Chamber Orchestra with the Westminster Symphonic Choir, under the direction of conductor Mark Laycook. An introduction to the performance, narrated by actor John Lithgow, gives a unique perspective on music history.

Symphonien Nos. 1 - 9

Gundula Janowitz · Christa Ludwig · Jess Thomas · Walter Berry

Chor der Deutschen Oper Berlin

Berliner Philharmoniker

Herbert von Karajan

Directed by: Arne Arnbom, Herbert von Karajan

Hugo Niebeling, Hans Joachim Scholz

Play by Peter Ustinov, about a return to the modern world by Beethoven, who knocks on the door of a London music critic. He is fitted with a hearing aid, and l istens in horror to his works. The critic wishes Beethoven to complete his tenth symphony, and one night the piano emits a few notes by itself.

With this performance of the Missa solemnis Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Honorary Guest Conductor of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, once more attained the status of a living legend, due mostly to his wide-ranging expertise of music from the Baroque and Classical era. The highly acclaimed soloists are Marlis Petersen (Soprano), twice the singer of the year by the renowned Opernwelt magazine, Elisabeth Kulman (Alto), Werner Güra (Tenor), winner of the BBC Music Magazine Award for the best vocal performance, and Gerald Finley (Bass), Grammy-Awardwinner for the best opera recording. They are accompanied by the famous Netherlands Radio Choir.

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN

Symphonies Nos. 1, 8 & 9 Performed by

Gwyneth Jones · Hanna Schwarz

René Kollo · Kurt Moll In Vienna at the Konzertvereinigung With the Wiener Staatsopernchor

and the Wiener Philharmoniker

Leonard Bernstein, conducting

Recording of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Herbert von Karajan playing Beethoven's 8th Symphony.

Even as a young boy, Beethoven marched to the beat of a different drummer. Trained in the traditional music methods by his father, Beethoven was an accomplished pianist by the age of 12. But he yearned to try new sounds and persevered until audiences heard his music. By his early twenties, this persistent young man performed for Joseph Haydn, who compared him to the great Mozart. Sadly, Beethoven began to lose his hearing, but he threw himself even more deeply into his music, composing "Fur Elise," "Sonata Pathetique" and the dramatic "Fifth Symphony" years later, audience members heard what he could not and leapt to their feet in ecstatic appreciation for such passionate music. His creativity gave the world then, as it does today, music that stirs the soul. The video begins in 1827 with 30,000 people paying tribute to the great Beethoven in Vienna, Austria. Then the video switches to his life as a child...

When Act 2 of Fidelio is being poured out in the most glorious tones imaginable from Mattila, Heppner and Pape - who can possibly complain? Who would honestly want to replace any of them? Who can fail to be overwhelmed with gratitude to own this disc? If I continue to count our blessings, I might mention the splendid Robert Lloyd drawing us to a thrilling finale as Don Fernando; and Falk Struckmann a convincingly evil Pizarro. So it is certainly not complaining, but fulfilling a reviewer's obligation to tell all, when I admit that Jennifer Welch-Babidge is little more than adequate as Marzelline. One might wish for a purer vocal line in this role - like a Bonney or an Isokoski.

Christian Thielemann and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra performing Beethoven Symphonies 1-9

Follows legendary classical composer, Ludwig Van Beethoven, creating one of his most famous pieces called “Moonlight Sonata”.

Claudio Abbado conducted Beethoven’s symphonies on many occasions in the Philharmonie in Berlin. But only at the end of his tenure as chief conductor of the Berliner Philharmoniker did he decide to give a performance of the complete symphonies. It was left to audiences of his native Italy to witness these concerts in February 2001 in the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome.

Herbert von Karajan conducts the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra in these 3 great Beethoven symphonies. Gundula Janowitz, Christa Ludwig, Jess Thomas and Walter Berry are featured vocal soloists with the Choir of the Berlin Opera in the 9th Symphony.

This DVD includes upbeat music for movement and active play, plus new activity modes: play, dance, and quiet-time modes; and new discovery cards: real-world animals and objects with sound effects.

Recordings of all the Beethoven symphonies with their chief conductor are always a milestone in the artistic work of the Berliner Philharmoniker. So it was with Herbert von Karajan and Claudio Abbado, and expectations are correspondingly high for this cycle conducted by Sir Simon Rattle. Where does the special status of these symphonies come from? Simon Rattle has an explanation: “One of the things Beethoven does is to give you a mirror into yourself – where you are now as a musician.” In fact, this music contains such a wealth of extreme emotions and brilliant compositional ideas that reveal the qualities of the orchestra and its conductor as if under a magnifying glass.

Experience what Zell Music Director Riccardo Muti calls “the work of a divine architect” in this special encore presentation of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Recorded live September 18, 2014, at Orchestra Hall during one of the opening programs of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s 2014/15 season, this performance features Muti leading the Orchestra and Chorus and distinguished soloists in one of history’s most powerful and inspiring artistic works. A masterpiece whose staggering influence can be seen across classical music, it concludes with the famous Ode to Joy, which calls for understanding, peace and universal goodwill. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is grateful to an anonymous donor for generously underwriting the recording of this concert in 2014.

Nikolaus Harnoncourt is the conductor in this 2004 production of Beethoven's only opera staged at the Zurich Opera House. Finnish soprano Camilla Nyland takes the title role, with performances by Jonas Kaufmann, Laszlo Polgar and Alfred Muff.