Mozart - Symphonies Vol.1-3 DVD

Advantages: Stunning music, script, story , acting and cinematography
Disadvantages: 8 Oscars - So what could possibly be wrong?

...The title refers to Antonio Salieri (played by F. Murray Abraham who won best actor) , the narrator in flashback , of this stunning 1984 film directed by Milos Forman, winning of eight academy awards , including best picture. Based on Peter Shaffer’s play with a superb score of Mozart and Salieri music performed by Academy of St Martin in the Fields conducted and supervised by Sir Neville Mariner. I am reviewing this because I purchased it from Amazon (9.99 GBP) on DVD. The DVD is a two sider which includes copious production notes, biographies and a music only soundtrack. It runs for around two and half hours, an absolute bargain. The story is told as a confession by Salieri to the priest in the asylum where he now housed. He tells of how he was court composer, but his position was threatened by the upstart hooligan Mozart... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Excellent performances in a perfect setting
Disadvantages: Very minor quibbles

...and seeing this only adds to one's appreciation of this excellent musical duo. Whilst Gil Shaham does read the music from a music stand, one rarely sees it in shot - something which can really spoil the image of a filmed concert as it makes a barrier between artist and viewer. It says in the Ciao description of this DVD that it is a live performance but that's not so - it was recorded over 3 days. In an interestingly dramatic twist, the producer records the single sonata in a minor key - written at the time immediately after the death of Mozart's mother - during the hours of darkness, bringing a sombre, more intense atmosphere to this more tragic, dramatic, inward looking and mourning music. Performances: This is first class playing. Gil Shaham is by no means one of the "HIPP" brigade (historically informed performance practice...) he... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Cheaper by the dozen
Disadvantages: Maybe classed as geek

...plays Teal'c who meets a very attractive blond Jaffa -you would The Asgard get in a pickle, but then it gets better. Anubis gets his ass kicked -So Cool The series spends it's time tying up loose ends of previous stories and leading to what I can only describe as an edge of seat season finale. With incredible Special Effects and story line. And the music is by the British Symphony Orchestra. Volume 36 episode 7.20: Really is brillient with the inauguration of the new president. and the susequent episode after that. I won't waffle on. Each DVD comes with Special Features, Vol 32: Commentries +More Vol 33: Commentries +More Vol 34: Commentries +More Vol 35: Commentries +More Vol 36: Commentries +More Vol 37: Commentries +More Hmm cut and paste job there? Yes, And here is why. If your a Stargate fan or buying for someone who is... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful