Zubin

Zubin Mehta has had a decades-long artistic relationship and deep friendship with the Munich Philharmonic. Since conducting his first concert with the orchestra in 1987, he has been a regular guest there and in 2004 was named the orchestra's first and so far only "honorary conductor". Twenty years later, the orchestra celebrated this anniversary with the two piano concertos played by one of today's most celebrated and admired pianists: Yefim Bronfman.

Georges Bizet's "Carmen," one of the world's favorite operas, celebrates at Covent Garden its first new staging in nearly twenty years, directed by the eminent Spanish actress and director Nuria Espert and conducted by the legendary Zubin Mehta. Blazing with passion, lust and jealousy, this production is Hispanic to the core with vibrant designs by Spain's most distinguished set designer, Gerardo Vera, and authentic flamenco choreography by Cristina Hoyos. Luis Lima sings the role of Don Jose, and Maria Ewing portrays a full-blooded, voluptuous Carmen, a role for which she has already won universal acclaim at Glyndebourne and Earl's Court and on television.

Mehta was a younger and more dynamic conductor when he led his Los Angeles orchestra in this very fine performance. His sense of balance and pacing seems just right, and he never distorts the structure of the piece. The orchestra sounds as good as any of the big names here, and the brass are phenomenal. The sound belies its 1976 provenance. Some famous conductors drive this music too hard.

This is an excellent production of Turandot from Valencia, Spain and stands second to the 1988 Met version with Marton, Domingo, and Mitchell which is my all time favorite! Maria acts and sings the title role beautifully along with Berti who pretty much just stands and sings but has a pleasing voice. The singer that portrays Liu is fine but not up to Mitchell's version at the Met. The sets and costumes are terrific. However, to me, the best was the chorus and orchestra, led by one of my favorite conductors, Zubin Mehta. Truly outstanding beautiful sound! If you love this opera you really must have this DVD as it may be awhile before the Met issues this season's production on DVD. I recommend it as a beautifully performed Turandot!
By operamarty

Paramax Films captured the concert by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra at its resident venue of Charles Bronfman Auditorium in Tel Aviv in July 2015 conducted by Zubin Mehta and starring Georgian concert pianist Khatia Buniatishvili. The film showcases a performance of the piano’s most famous orchestral repertoire; Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No 1 and Liszt’s virtuosic Piano Concerto No 2 with its waves of sound.

With a celebrated career encompassing five decades, Pinchas Zukerman reigns as one of today's most sought after and versatile musicians - violin and viola soloist, conductor, and chamber musician. He is renowned as a virtuoso, admired for the expressive lyricism of his playing, singular beauty of tone, and impeccable musicianship, which can be heard throughout his discography of over 100 albums for which he gained two Grammy awards and 21 nominations..

Sony Classical in cooperation with Paramax Films and Dolby releases the world premiere of the first classical concert on video mixed in the new sound technology of Dolby Atmos®. Captured by Paramax Films in the orchestra’s home city of Tel Aviv in July 2015, Khatia Buniatishvili and Zubin Mehta unite in a concert with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra at its resident venue of Charles Bronfman Auditorium. Available on DVD and Blu-ray, last-named with Dolby Atmos technology, the legendary conductor and the 2016 ECHO Klassik Award winning pianist showcase a performance of the piano’s most famous orchestral repertoire; Beethoven’s infectious and virtuosic Piano Concerto No. 1. and Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with its waves of sound and grandiose third movement. Last concerto proven to be “a superb showpiece for Buniatishvili, whose technical prowess, theatrical manner and innate glamour mark her out as a natural Liszt interpreter” writes the Guardian.