Best Austrian music movies

John Williams: Live in Vienna (2020)

DG presents John Williams in Vienna, the live recordings of the Hollywood legend's Vienna Philharmonic 2020 debut. Saying it's "one of the greatest honors of my life," he received a standing ovation before a single note was played. Sharing the stage with the famous orchestra and violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, he performs iconic themes from Star Wars, Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park and other cinematic landmarks that have earned countless awards: 5 Oscars, 5 Emmys, 25 Grammys & more.

Joe Bonamassa - An Acoustic Evening at the Vienna Opera House (2013)

An Acoustic Evening at the Vienna Opera House, was recorded at the historic Vienna Opera House July 2012 during a special two-week long unplugged tour, played to a limited audience over seven exclusive shows. Varying from his electric blues shows, this presentation was an all-acoustic concert performance, making it a unique and very special show fans had been waiting years to experience. Produced by Kevin Shirley. Source: Amazon.com - http://www.amazon.com/Acoustic-Evening-Vienna-Opera-Blu-ray/dp/B00B6S56X6

The World of Hans Zimmer: A Symphonic Celebration (Live At Hollywood In Vienna) (2018)

Zimmer entered the world of film music in London during a long collaboration with famed composer and mentor Stanley Myers. He soon began to work on several successful solo projects‚ including the critically acclaimed A WORLD APART‚ and during these years Zimmer pioneered the use of combining old and new musical technologies. Today‚ this work has earned him the reputation of being the father of integrating the electronic musical world with traditional orchestral arrangements.

Count Bobby, the Terror of the Wild West (1965)

An Austrian earl learns that he has inherited land in Arizona, in the American wild west. The count and his friend journey to America to claim the inheritance. There, they encounter danger, desperados, and the none-too-friendly daughter of the local sheriff.

Falco - L.I.V.E Donauinsel + Stadthalle Wien (2004)

Donizetti: L'elisir d'amore (2005)

Donizetti's L'Elisir d'Amore is one of the staples of the comic opera repertory. The plot hinges on whether earnest but dim-witted Nemorino will snag Adina, the flirtatious heroine. She's a tease who takes up with Belcore, an army sergeant, to make Nemorino jealous. After numerous (and humorous) plot twists that include a phony love potion, it all ends happily. Adina and Nemorino declare their love for each other, Belcore is dumped, and the fraudulent Dulcamara does a landslide business in love potions. It's all a fast-moving bundle of fun, especially with the star-filled cast of this 2005 Vienna State Opera performance.

Friends Forever (2012)

Set in the midst of World War II and interspersed with beautiful choir music, the horrors of the war unfold when the Germans realized one of the boys in the choir is a Jew and they must find him immediately.

Im singenden Rössel am Königssee (1963)

New Year's Concert 2025 (2025)

New Year's concert 2025 of Vienna Philharmonic with Riccardo Muti.

L'Italiana in Algeri (2015)

"This is Vienna State Opera live at home". April 2015. 'L'italiana in Algeri' (English: 'The Italian Girl in Algiers') is an operatic dramma giocoso in two acts by Gioachino Rossini to an Italian libretto by Angelo Anelli, based on his earlier text set by Luigi Mosca. It premiered at the Teatro San Benedetto in Venice on 22 May 1813. The music is characteristic of Rossini's style, remarkable for its fusion of sustained, manic energy with elegant, pristine melodies.

Weber: Der Freischütz (2024)

A godforsaken village in Germany shortly after the Thirty Years’ War: The young scrivener Max loves Agathe, daughter of the head forester Kuno. But to marry her, the inexperienced marksman Max must participate in an archaic tradition and score in a shooting trial – an unfulfillable challenge for him. The dubious war veteran Kaspar knows about this. He convinces the scrivener to meet him at Wolf’s Glen at midnight to forge “free bullets” that never miss their target. Max, who does not see any other way out of his unfortunate situation, sells his soul to the devil. Not knowing about the catch behind this deal: while six of the cursed bullets will hit the desired target, the seventh lies in the devil’s hands.

Die Landstreicher (1968)

La Bohème (2008)

Giacomo Puccini's immortal opera, in a high budget feature-film version directed by Academy Award nominee Robert Dornhelm, stars opera's 'Golden Couple', Rolando Villazon and Anna Netrebko as the protagonists, Rodolfo and Mimi. The chemistry between them is electric, unrivalled in the theatre today. Russian soprano Anna Netrebko is not only beautiful but has a marvelous voice and technique; Mexican tenor Rolando Villazon, has a wonderful voice and an incredible charisma. The director not only wanted to remain steadfastly faithful to Puccini's design but also document two of the leading singers of the modern age rather than embarking on a 'trendy' contemporary re-creation.

Karajan Brahms Ein Deutsches Requiem (1978)

This unique document from the 1978 Salzburg Festival has fortunately been released on DVD and is a magical interpretation, prodigiously realized with a sublime fusion of timbres, a cohesion and ultimately, a simplicity that are truly unequalled. Listen as this great conductor produces musical nuisances that are unique to his art and how he accompanies the soloists with understanding and rapport. I have no hesitation in claiming this is one of the great recordings of the century.

Georges Bizet: "Carmen" Oper im Steinbruch 2023 (2023)

Carmen (1978)

CARMEN is the classic tale of forbidden passion between a young man and a spoken-for woman, Carmen. From ORF and TDK Music, this release features a live performance of Georges Bizet's 19th century operatic masterwork Carmen. Directed by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Franco Zeffirelli, the production was shot on December 9, 1978, at the Wiener Straatsoper. Starring Elena Obraztsova in the titular role, the orchestra is conducted by Carlos Kleiber.

La Cenerentola (2014)

"This is Vienna State Opera live at home". December 2014.

New Year's Concert 2024 (2024)

New Year's Concert 2024

New Year's Concert 2021 (2021)

Having enjoyed a 50-year musical partnership with the Vienna Philharmonic, Riccardo Muti takes charge of the celebrations for the sixth time in what’s bound to be a uniquely poignant occasion. The concert includes the traditional mix of Austrian classics, featuring music by the Strauss family and ending with the ever-popular By the Beautiful Blue Danube and the foot-stamping Radetzky March. In these uncertain times, the concert looks to send people all over the world a new year's greeting in the spirit of hope, friendship and peace.

Requiem from Java (2006)

This is the story about Setyo, Siti and Ludiro, who were the performer of Javanese Ramayana's Wayang Wong. Setyo and Siti are spouse who live in a village by selling earthenware products. In the village, live as well Ludiro, the head of the stockyard, who is very wealthy and secretly in love with Siti. Conflicts arrived as Setyo's earthenware company is going bankrupt and Siti started to took notice in Ludiro's desire to win her love. These triangle love transform into a civil war in the village that brings not only extremity and injustice, but also the death of the loved ones.

Andreas Gabalier: MTV Unplugged (2016)

Gluck: Orfeo ed Euridice (2014)

Based on Gluck's masterpiece and performed entirely on location in and around the environs of the Baroque Theatre at the Cesky Krumlov Castle in the Czech Republic; it's an opera production designed specifically for the film with outstanding sets and production values. Countertenor Bejun Mehta sings the role of the torn main character and acts as an artistic advisor, making for an involving and impeccably performed opera.

La Bohème (2012)

Live performance of Puccini's opera at the Salzburg Festival in Austria. Piotr Beczala stars as Rodolfo with Anna Netrebko as Mimi, Massimo Cavalletti as Marcello and Nino Machaidze as Musetta. Daniele Gatti conducts the Vienna Philharmonic, the Vienna State Opera Chorus and the Salzburg Festival and Theatre Children's Choir.

The Charm of La Bohème (1937)

René and his two artist friends lead a meager but careless life in a Parisian small apartment, their main worry being to avoid the housekeeper. Whenever they get some money they call more friends in and celebrate. This is how he meets beautiful but fragile Denise, who wants to be a singer as himself, and they fall in love. Yet when she finds out her real condition she takes a drastic decision which will determine their fates. La Bohème arias, and more.

Frasquita (1934)

Czechoslovakian opera star Jarmila Novotná plays the title role in the Austrian tunefest "Frasquita". Based on a Franz Lehár operetta, the story is the usual frothy nonsense. Dolly (Charlott Daudert) is engaged to marry Harald (Hans Heinz-Bollmann), but she's really in love with Hippolit (Heinz Rühmann). Harald is likewise enamored of another, namely Frasquita (Jarmila Novotná).

Miles Davis with Quincy Jones and the Gil Evans Orchestra Live at Montreux 1991 (2013)

This concert from July 8th, 1991 was the last of Miles Davis many appearances at the Montreux Jazz Festival and took place only a few months before his death. Despite a defiant never look back philosophy, Miles was persuaded by Quincy Jones and Claude Nobs to take part in this tribute to his great friend Gil Evans, who had passed away in 1988. This truly unique concert was an historical event and a musical triumph, thankfully captured here for posterity. Miles Davis was a giant of 20th century music and this concert is as much a tribute to him as it is to the late Gil Evans.

Tango under the Stars - Gustavo Dudamel (2017)

Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Philharmonic accentuate the colors, rhythms and passion of the music of Argentina's leading composers on this invigorating evening at the Hollywood Bowl: Astor Piazzolla, the master of the New Tango, whose four tangos the Tango Buenos Aires dance company performs on stage, known worldwide as the most authentic and uncompromising representative of the tango, Alberto Ginastera, one of the most important classical composers of the Americas in the 20th century and Piazzolla's first teacher, and Lalo Schifrin, who, in addition to his concert music, is the composer of the famous soundtracks for Mission: Impossible and Dirty Harry. His "Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra", a world premiere recording, is composed by Ángel Romero, an iconic master of the classical guitar.

Silhouettes (1936)

The confrontation between two women - a choreographer of a successful troupe and a prima ballerina. Stung by the news of her upcoming dismissal, the prima begins to scheme..

Anna Netrebko: The Woman, the Voice (2003)

Since her thrilling, 1995 debut at the San Francisco Opera, soprano Anna Netrebko has starred with opera companies and orchestras worldwide. This video gathers some of her best moments in excerpts from Giacomo Puccini's "La Boheme"; Charles Francois Gounod's "Faust"; Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Don Giovanni"; Vincenzo Bellini's "La Sonnambula"; and Antonin Dvorak's "Rusalka." Also included are interviews with Netrebko and her colleagues.

Jonas Kaufmann: Cavalleria Rusticana / Pagliacci (2015)

As comparably short operas, Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci are often billed together, but seldom is the lead tenor making his double role debut as Turiddu and Canio on the same evening. At the 2015 Salzburg Easter Festival, Jonas Kaufmann did just that to rapturous praise. Universally hailed as a coup for Kaufmann, the plaudits were also showered on Philipp Stölzl for his innovative staging which includes live video projections while referencing the era of black-and-white movies.