Program Mezzo

Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau: Last Words The great German baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau was greatly admired for his interpretive insight, note-perfect control of the tonal qualities, and shadings of color in his voice, for exceptional rhythmic sense and impeccable diction. His reputation as a lieder singer is so high – he had a repertoire of more than 3.000 songs – that it is easy to forget his extensive list of operatic roles. In this conversation Fischer-Dieskau reveals for the last time on camera the secrets of his outstanding career. His ‘Last Words’ provide a deep insight into the extraordinary artistic life of one of the most famous and prolific lieder singers of our time. Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau died in May 2012 at the age of 86. Directed by Bruno Monsaingeon 2013

Accident: A family portrait Vilde Frang violin | Francesca Amante, Nataša Novotná, Maja Dworak Strømgren, Line Tørmoen, Viktor Konvalinka, Václav Kuneš, Jo Strømgren, Rostislav Novák Sen. (dead man) Eugène-Auguste Ysaÿe: 6 Sonatas for solo violin In ‘Accident’, death comes unexpectedly and abruptly to a family that has recently been challenged by the pater familia's marriage to a younger woman. When he dies suddenly, perhaps in a car accident, it becomes extremely important for her to push forward a delayed plan for a family portrait. How to take a family photo where one of the members is no longer alive, and the rest of the family, apart from the young wife, struggle to hide their opposition to the whole project? It is a grotesque task for the photographer, who routinely does everything possible to create a good atmosphere in the studio for his clients. Directed by Jo Strømgren and Stein-Roger Bull 2021

International Conducting Competition Rotterdam 2025

Rafael Riqueni, Salvador Gutiérrez, Manuel De la Luz (guitars) María Moreno (bailaora) Nerja Paris, Chaillot – Théâtre national de la Danse, 18 February 2022 TV director, Patrick Lauze

Directed by Nathan Benisty and Olivier Deck

Estival Jazz 1986 John Mc Laughlin’s Mahavishnu Orchestra John McLaughlin (guitar) Bill Evans (saxophone) Mitchell Forman (clavier) Danny Gottlieb (drums) Jonas Hellborg (bass) Recorded in 1986, Lugano, Swiss Tv director, Sandro Pedrazzetti

Directed by Benedict Mirow This portrait of Friedrich Gulda is based on archive material dating from his earliest youth right up to his last months. The entire narration originates from Friedrich Gulda, either from himself directly, or narrated by his „alter ego“ Ulrich Mühe. Simply a „must“ for all those wishing to experience the last „enfant terrible“ of the classical music establishment in all his facets.

Suites for a suffering world Tanja Tetzlaff (cello) Johann Sebastian Bach 1685 – 1750 Cello Suite No.4 in E-flat major, BWV 1010 Cello Suite No.5 in C minor, BWV 1011 Thorsten Encke 1966 - Cracks, Clouds The German cellist Tanja Tetzlaff performs J.S. Bach’s Cello Suites Nos. 4 and 5 amid natural surroundings devastated by climate change. Beauty confronts its own destruction. Do we really want to watch without lifting a finger? Melting glaciers, desertified landscapes, flooded communities: climate change is having an alarming impact even in Europe. What are we humans doing to this wonderful planet? Aghast at the depredation and destruction of our unique ecosystems, the renowned German cellist Tanja Tetzlaff wants to ask Nature for forgiveness. She travels with her instrument to places in Europe where climate change has already become reality and visibly dealt severe wounds. Surrounded by sometimes bizarre scenery, she performs Johann Sebastian Bach’s Cello Suites Nos. 4 and 5, contrasting them with works specially composed for her by Thorsten Encke. She levels accusations, stokes resistance, and touches us with her virtuoso playing. The beauty of the music stands in sharp contrast to the often-dramatic images of damaged Nature, combatting the finality of destruction. A moving musical and visual plea for greater care and humility toward the beauty of our planet – at once ravishing and disturbing. Recorded at Aletsch Glacier (Switzerland), Cernon Forest (France), Harz Forest (Germany), Lac de Brenets (France/Switzerland), La Scène (Strasbourg/France), Rhone Glacier (Switzerland), Soulac-sur-Mer (France) Directed by Stéphan Aubé

Wiener Philharmoniker, Pierre Boulez (conductor) Anton Bruckner 1824 – 1896 Symphony no. 8 (ed. Robert Haas) Directed Brian Large Saint Florian, Stiftskirche, 1996