As Riccardo Chailly points out, "The Fifth begins with a dark, gloomy, and tragic tone, but then is enlivened in the Scherzo and Adagietto, and eventually ends with a more positive character in the Finale perhaps for the last time in Mahler's life. The Adagietto is a revelation, a spiritual oasis. It is not an expression of pain, but rather Mahler's declaration of love to Alma a song without words." With the Gewandhaus Orchestra, Chailly gives the piece an unsurpassed intensity of sound and emotional expression. He achieves a compelling arc of tension in which the symphony's unique fascination unfolds. The Wiener Zeitung characterized Chailly's interpretation as "impressive with powerful and unreserved intensity."

The audience knows that the performance of a Mahler symphony is not only a musical experience but is also emotionally effective' (Chailly). This counts especially for Mahler's enigmatic sixth symphony, an emotionally stirring challenge for both performers and listeners, while also one of the most impressive works in musical history. Chailly's interpretation with the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra is 'intensely great' (Die Presse). 'Chailly uncompromisingly considers this sixth symphony through the lens of modernity; looking forward, not retrospectively staying in late romantic. In this celebrated orchestra, all sections splendidly come together and fulfill an 'open' sound, conserving whilst respecting its original beauty' (Salzburger Nachrichten).

A passionate conductor and composer, Gustav Mahler never received the recognition he deserved during his lifetime but has since come to be known as a prominent post-Romantic master of song and symphony. Filmed in Vienna, Austria; Budapest, Hungary; Hamburg, Germany; and the Czech Republic, this documentary explores the Bohemia-born Mahler's life and inspirations, from his turbulent childhood years to his ambitious adult career.

Acclaimed German conductor Kurt Masur leads the Gewandhaus Orchestra and Chorus in this performance of Beethoven's marvelously sprawling Symphony no. 9 in D Minor, op. 125, filmed live in Leipzig's Gewandhaus concert hall in 1991. Joining the magnificent assembly are soloists Venceslava Hruba-Freiberger, Doris Soffel, James Wagner and Gwynne Howell, providing an unforgettable setting for Beethoven's masterpiece.

Alban Berg (1885-1935) Violin Concerto "To the Memory of an Angel" Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) Symphony no 3 in A minor Op. 56 "Scottish"

Felix Mendelssohn Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in E minor, Op. 64 Ludwig van Beethoven Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major, Op. 61 Nikolaj Znaider, violin Riccardo Chailly Gewandhausorchester Leipzig

The Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and their Music Director Riccardo Chailly have already acquired legendary status – glorious reviews and many awards for their recordings testifying to their continuing success. At Leipzig’s International Mahler Festival, to mark the centenary of Mahler’s death, they performed his monumental Second Symphony in the Gewandhaus – together with two marvellous soloists and choral forces quite beyond compare. About the final movement the composer said: “The increasing tension, working up to the final climax, is so tremendous that I don’t know myself, now that it is over, how I ever came to write it.” The painting “Morgenrot” was chosen by internationally acclaimed artist Neo Rauch to feature on the cover of this release on DVD and Blu-ray.

The Triple Concerto is one of Beethoven's less frequently performed works - probably also because it requires three soloists and makes considerable demands on them. ARTE presents the Concerto for Violin, Violoncello, Piano and Orchestra in C major at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig, performed by an excellent trio of soloists. It is accompanied by the Gewandhaus Orchestra under the direction of Herbert Blomstedt.