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The lap and non-pedal steel guitar has proved to be a rich addition to the music world, with country stars in particular reaping many sublime benefits from the instrument. Here, Cindy Cashdollar from popular group Asleep at the Wheel presents a guide on how to play the instrument, which should have players picking up the basics in no time at all.
Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005.
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Herbert Von Karajan is joined by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra for this second installment in a series of releases that sees the great conductor guiding the orchestra through Beethoven`s symphony cycle.
Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005.
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A stunning cast faithfully interpret Rossini's final Italian opera in this lavish production. The plot bucks most opera trends, and rarely settles into a cohesive narrative. Instead, a series of vignette's are played out, with a procession of unconnected conversations between European aristocrats taking up the bulk of the stage time. Among the cast are Paula Rasmussen, Elena De La Merced, Maria Bayo, Mariola Cantarero, and many others.
Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005.
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This New Year's concert from 2004 was held shortly after the grand reopening of the Teatro La Fenice, Italy's prized opera house that burned to the ground in 1996. Following through with his promise to rebuild the theatre in its original style, then-mayor of Venice Massimo Cacciari saw to it that the theatre was recreated in all its previous splendor. Ricardo Muti (the musical director of another famous Italian opera house-La Scala) conducted several concerts in honor of the Teatro La Fenice's reopening. This New Year's program was just one of the highlights of the reopening events. Conducted by Lorin Maazel, the concert featured an internationally acclaimed cast of dancers and singers. Singers included Italian tenor Roberto Aronica, Italian soprano Stefania Bonfadelli, and ballet dancers Roberto Bolle and Greta Hodgkinson. Interestingly enough, the 1996 fire marked the second time that the famed theatre burned down, as it also underwent significant damage after a fire in 1836. After being completely rebuilt two times, the theatre has gained the nickname The Phoenix, in reference to the mythical bird that destroys itself with fire so that it can then be born anew.
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Acclaimed B-movie director Edgar G. Ulmer filmed this selection of memorable musical performances, loosely connected by the story of Nora, an Irish scrubwoman (Marsha Hunt) whose passion for classical music causes her to clash with her jazz-loving pianist son (William Prince). The rift caused by their musical differences is eventually healed amid the music of the hall, where Nora works. Arthur Rubinstein, Bruno Walter, and Leopold Stowkowski conduct such accomplished classical performers as vocalists Lily Pons, Ezio Pinza, and Rise Stevens; cellist Gregor Piatgorsky, and violin virtuoso Jascha Heifetz. Vaughn Monroe's orchestra and jazz trumpeter Harry James also show up, and Nora realizes maybe jazz is okay after all.This was clearly a labor of love for Ulmer, and his fluid direction captures the grandeur and excitement of the concert experience. The main story may be a bit trite, but as a document of these legendary musicians in action, this is a gem that deserves an honored spot in any classical music or film lover's collection.DVD Features:Region 0 EncodingKeep CaseRare Stills
Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005.
For personal use only.
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