Katherine A. Jeans Movies

This documentary on the life of Johann Sebastian Bach is one in a six-part series hosted by Jon Kimura Parker, and features Pinchas Zukerman and the National Arts Centre Orchestra. Classical music will forever be in debt to Bach. He was a peerless master of technique, whose important works included his cantatas, the Passions of St. John and St. Matthew, and the Mass in B Minor. But he is best known for the Brandenburg Concertos, which are the focus of this film, with performances of all six concertos. It took Bach more than two years to complete the concertos, which were commissioned by the Margrave of Brandenburg. He never even thanked Bach for the cantatas, or used them, much less paid for them. Four of Bach's sons became composers, and his son enjoyed more fame while he was alive than the senior Bach. Only time would prove the enduring genius of Bach. This video bears witness to his legacy as a musical giant.
~ Rose of Sharon Winter, Rovi

This documentary is part of a six part series showcasing the lives and works of some of the world's most famous composers. Hosted by distinguished concert pianist Joh Kimura Parker, Whole Notes focuses in this segment on composer, pianist, and conductor Sergei Rachmaninoff. Born in 1873, Rachmaninoff is considered the last of the great tradition of Russian romantic composers. He studied at the Moscow Conservatory, where he met Tchaikovsky, who greatly influenced the young pianist's musical career. This film features the National Arts Centre Orchestra of Canada, conducted by Pinchas Zukerman, performing Rachmininoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, the second movement of which contains one of the most familiar and popular melodies in all of music. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, Rovi

This program is part of a six-video set that highlights the lives and careers of great composers and performers. The others profiled are Ravel, Bach, Beethoven, Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky. Like other videos on Mozart's life, this one stresses his early genius and ability to write music in all of the genres that were popular when he lived. Some of Mozarts's pieces are played in the background. Note how gifted he was when playing the harpsichord. Discover how his father worked hard to promote his son's short but illustrious career. Find out how his last years were spent before he died at the young age of 35. Music lovers are likely to gain added appreciation for the Viennese Classical school of composers after watching this video. ~ Elizabeth Smith, Rovi

In this popular series, host Frank Augustyn explores the most famous ballets ever produced. Each installment looks at a different aspect of this graceful form of dance, and in Footnotes, Vol. 8: Ballet in Russia/Ballet in Asia, ballet in Russia is contrasted with the dance in Asia. Historically, Russia has an edge, with its celebrated Kirov and Bolshoi companies. Ballet is relatively new in Asia, and on this program, dancers from the Hong Kong Ballet and the National Ballet of China perform classic ballet sequences, then offer comments about the development of ballet in China. ~ Alice Day, Rovi