Search - Anne-Sophie Mutter - The Mozart Violin Concertos on DVD

Worth Every Penny

Musicfan | California | 10/15/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this at the pre-sale price of about $27. After I bought it, I saw the price went up to $35. If I had to buy it at the higher price I would certainly still get this DVD. Here, you get a video and audio performance designed for a high definition system. Mutter is well known for her Mozart performances, and I have seen her perform Mozart twice live. The performances on this disk are first rate. The editing is very good. The camera moves around but not in an annoying way, yet you see the amazing skill level of Ms. Mutter from several angles. The sound in DTS is VERY pleasing. I'm so happy to see a great performance that isn't 20+ years old with mediocre sound and flat filming. This DVD is fantastic. Is there a negative? Well, there's always a negative. The lighting on the sides focused on the symphonic players seem a little odd at times, but this is seen if you're looking for a flaw. If you're a Mozart fan, a violin fan, a classical fan or a Mutter fan..... this disc will please you. All 5 Mozart concertoes in great sound, filmed very well, with a fantastic performance. How can you lose?"

Great performance, poor camera angles

D. Swenson | America's Heartland | 01/07/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"OK, so she plays great! The orchestra is first rate, the sound quality is excellent. But I agree with another review that the soft focus bluish haze is not needed and distracting. Another thing that really bothers me about any modern films of performances - they jump the camera all over, quick cut after quick cut, like the editor has attention deficit disorder or is on drugs. Too many close ups! This isn't an MTV rock music video!!



I am a high school orchestra director, and I like to show portions of dvds of great players for my students. I was interested in seeing, for example, what bowing she would use on the opening of concerto #3, as I have played this piece and I teach it to students. But the camera never stays far enough away to actually watch her play!



I have found that old recordings from the 1960s, although black and white and not meant for dts or dolby, work best for showing students. The camera stays put, and stays far enough away to see both bowing and fingering.



Please, please, modern editors - can't you put out these releases in multi angle format? Do what you want "artistically" with the quick cuts, but provide another angle throughout that shows only Mutter, waist up, including both her hands, at an angle that actually lets us see her play!!! That's the kind of seat I would want at the live performance - not seeing only her left eye, or her right shoulder blade, etc.



I give it 3 stars, because I can always turn off the TV and just play the sound of the dvd through the 5.1 system. That's worth 3 stars, because she's just that good."

High Definition, but only Ms Mutter

Roderick Keech | Australia | 03/25/2008

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I purchased this DVD set with great anticipation. I have enjoyed Anne-Sophie Mutter since her earliest recordings of the war horse Mendelssohn/Bruch Concertos with von Karajan, and the prospect of a double DVD set recorded in High Definition was too hard to resist.



Upon loading disc one, I thought I had a dud DVD. As another reviewer has stated, the orchestra seem to be out of focus and in some sort of haze. I checked the packaging and the DVD, but no, it was not a bootleg. I was about to complain and return it when I thought I would check other reviews of this set, and lo and behold, most reviewers had the same complaint.



This is not a faulty DVD - it is exactly as the manufacturer intended.



There is nothing wrong with the audio content - that is first class, as you would expect, but the director and Universal Classics ought to get a grip and realise that if they are going to advertise on the packaging that the performance is recorded in HD, then they ought to deliver. Arty-farty (read:trendy) effects and editing do nothing but distract you from the sole purpose of buying the DVD: to watch the soloist and orchestra perform together in a clear and sparkling visual treat. Ms Mutter is always in sharp focus, looking elegant as usual - pity about the orchestra. I wondered if it was a filter on the camera or if the orchestra were being subjected to permanent respiratory damage due to the haze that seems to surround them.



If I had known this before, I would have just bought the CDs, as the DVD is just too annoying for words.



I wonder what Ms Mutter thinks ?

"

HEAR IT BUT DON'T SEE IT

N.Y. | 05/18/2009

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Both sound and performance are very good, but for god's sake how could you have such a bad picture? Lightening is very bad and the images are terribly hazy. Only the closeup images are clear (when the focus is right). In such a modern filming I would expect a much much better image."