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The tragedy of the conductor Carlos Kleiber was that he was just too talented. In some musical ways a miracle, in other personal ways a monster, Kleiber was the greatest conductor of our age. This sober documentary comes on the heels of another, Traces to Nowhere, by Eric Schulz (with testimony from the conductor's sister): orchestral players explain his hold over them, and there is an electrifying rehearsal sequence from Tristan in Bayreuth. It needs to be watched alongside the precious Universal catalogue of filmed Kleiber performances, including the most wonderful Beethoven seventh symphony you will ever see. --Observer,8/05/11
Admirers will want this DVD --IRR,May'11
Admirers will want this DVD --IRR,May'11
Admirers will want this DVD --IRR,May'11
Admirers will want this DVD --IRR,May'11
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Veneration maybe the word that best applies to the attitude of some musicians and music lovers to their conducting god, Carlos Kleiber. But the penalty for this consummate talent was virtually a mental health problem for Kleiber, and some pretty cruel treatment of musicians, concert promoters and, it seems, more than a few women.
That said, Kleiber was top drawer talent personified. Just viewing his magical rehearsals proves this beyond doubt. And this splendid film provides far more evidence than just those, as well as fascinating insights and enthusiasm from musicians, critics, sister and others. All in all a highly viewable film of the life of possibly the 20th century's most talented conductor. CB
That said, Kleiber was top drawer talent personified. Just viewing his magical rehearsals proves this beyond doubt. And this splendid film provides far more evidence than just those, as well as fascinating insights and enthusiasm from musicians, critics, sister and others. All in all a highly viewable film of the life of possibly the 20th century's most talented conductor. CB
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
It's difficult for me to write an impersonal view of this film - or of its companion 'Traces to Nowhere' because it had an emotional and intellectual impact on me that's still buzzing weeks after I first watched it. In fact I'm repeating some of what I wrote in the 'Traces' review, on the grounds that there are only so many photographs you can take from the summit of K2.
It's a film that fires the imagination - like, what would it have been like to play with him conducting? Even to be in the audience? You get to see something of his particular conducting technique - with eyes and fingers and butterfly-baton - but I treasure especially his metaphors (he had six languages) ... preparing for the Liebestod, he says that Isolde is on her way to her first communion, she is in ecstasy and it's the audience that's heartbroken. On another occasion he clarifies his direction by telling the orchestra 'it's like making love to the same woman, but in a different position.' How does one get to be as masterful and beautiful in six different languages?
Watching the excerpts from the New Year's Day concerts from Vienna, I had the insight that he conducts the VPO as if they were a Bavarian band and the Bavarian band as if they were the VPO. My Dad, who idolised Beethoven and died well before Kleiber came on the scene, would have been stunned by this; I can feel him on my shoulder whether I be laughing, crying, or simply entranced.
It's a film that fires the imagination - like, what would it have been like to play with him conducting? Even to be in the audience? You get to see something of his particular conducting technique - with eyes and fingers and butterfly-baton - but I treasure especially his metaphors (he had six languages) ... preparing for the Liebestod, he says that Isolde is on her way to her first communion, she is in ecstasy and it's the audience that's heartbroken. On another occasion he clarifies his direction by telling the orchestra 'it's like making love to the same woman, but in a different position.' How does one get to be as masterful and beautiful in six different languages?
Watching the excerpts from the New Year's Day concerts from Vienna, I had the insight that he conducts the VPO as if they were a Bavarian band and the Bavarian band as if they were the VPO. My Dad, who idolised Beethoven and died well before Kleiber came on the scene, would have been stunned by this; I can feel him on my shoulder whether I be laughing, crying, or simply entranced.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
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1 review
9 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Passionate mind
8 Jun 2011
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
That's an outstanding documentary that give us an idea of this brilliant mind through the eyes and memories of those who had the pleasure to interacte with Carlos Kleiber.
Also show us his extreme perfectionism and his self-critical that led him to limit his recordings and appearances; therefore this is a good way to complement the legacy he left behind.
Also show us his extreme perfectionism and his self-critical that led him to limit his recordings and appearances; therefore this is a good way to complement the legacy he left behind.
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