Quarterly Critic’s Choice
The best and most interesting new releases of the previous three months are awarded a place on the Quarterly Critic’s Choice. Evaluation criteria are artistic quality, repertoire value, presentation, and sound quality. From 2014 onward, the Long Lists are stored directly with each Quarterly Critic’s Choice.
NEW: Long List 2/2024, published on 5th April 2024
Music Film
Zubin Mehta: Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds
A Film by Bettina Ehrhardt. Gustav Mahler: Kindertotenlieder. Thomas Quasthoff, Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden. DVD, Arthaus Musik 109439
Born in India, raised British, and musically socialized in Europe, Zubin Mehta found his artistic home as music director of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. He managed to preserve the orchestra’s European sound character and also dared to perform works by Wagner. Historical footage shows these sometimes dramatic events. Mehta, the philanthropist, carries authority without being authoritarian. But he also possesses serenity. Bettina Ehrhardt’s film, less a chronological biography and more of a multi-faceted personality portrait, shows the enthusiasm and joy with which this conductor works, how he seduces orchestra and audience alike. For the jury: Helge Grünewald