What the Universe Tells Me - Unraveling the Mysteries of Mahler's Third Symphony / Stockard Channing, Thomas Hampson
by Jason Starr
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DVD details
Actor: Glen Cortese, Manhattan School of Music Symphony Orchestra, Mignon Dunn, Stockard Channing, Thomas HampsonDirector: Jason Starr
DVD: Region Code 0
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Classical, Color, DVD, Letterboxed, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 165 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-03-30
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Video Artists Int'l
DVD Reviews of What the Universe Tells Me - Unraveling the Mysteries of Mahler's Third Symphony / Stockard Channing, Thomas Hampson
DVD Review: * * * 1/2 -- Good way of organizing the material; student performance adequate; Stockard Channing superfluous
Summary: 4 Stars
Let's start with Stockard: I'm a bit puzzled why they used her. She's no big name, either to classical music or anything else (did anyone even know she was still alive until The West Wing added her to the cast?) and her name can't be selling extra copies. So why even list her on the cover so prominently, as though she's somehow a Mahler specialist?
But while she doesn't add anything, her presence doesn't hurt either. She has a nice voice, after all. As for the production itself, this is a great example how the DVD format can be used in classical music, to enhance the listening experience and introduce people to the monumental Third Symphony. The main documentary is a more "poetic," emotional, non-technical account of the music, that would be of interest to lay listeners. So many classical music videos contain images that are just filler or fluff, or cliches: marble busts of the composer scowling, or old grainy photographs. The images on this DVD, on the other hand, are well-considered, and do a lot to further one's understanding of the work.
But then the filmmakers did something even smarter: when interviewing people for a documentary, you always get far more material than you can use, as well as more detailed information than may work in the flow of things. One of the biggest conflicts, therefore, is how much to omit from the final product. Often lots and lots of good stuff remains on the cutting room floor.
The makers of this DVD just put the more detailed commentary in a huge and detailed "bonus materials" section. Here there are detailed interviews for people, like me, who want to know even more about Mahler, the symphony, and the times. For some lay people who aren't as detail-obsessed as I, this section may be a little boring, but it's easy enough to skip. For others, who do care about the minutiae of this work and this composer, the extras are the best part. Other DVDs have bonus material sections, too, of course, but often they're just token. Here the filmmakers don't skimp: this section is nearly as long as the main feature, and dense with information.
It's amazing what good work can be done in classical music when the product isn't dumbed down to the lowest common denominator. This DVD is like a breath of fresh air, much needed when we are being smothered by Bond, Lara St. John, Andrea Botulism, The Planets (the inane singing group), Billy Joel playing faux Chopin, and the rest.
All that is on the first disc. The second disc features a complete performance of the Symphony, beautifully-photographed. The performance is not distinguished though, and the Manhattan School of Music Symphony has some pretty elderly performers in it for a school band. The conductor is bland, and the mezzo, someone named Mignon Dunn, is horrible, with a warbly voice and terrible diction. She should not be allowed to sing outside of the shower. I'm also annoyed at the engineers who decided to up the volume very artificially on the very last chord, for dramatic effect.
Buy this set for the first disc. The performance isn't worth your time, even for a student orchestra. The first DVD's "extras" is actually where most of the meat is.
More What the Universe Tells Me - Unraveling the Mysteries of Mahler's Third Symphony / Stockard Channing, Thomas Hampson reviews:
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