Herzog on Music (2 disc set) (1995)

Director: Werner Herzog Starring: Milva, Pasquale D'Onofrio, Salvatore Catorano, Angelo Carrabs Genres: Documentary, Biography, Music, Performing Arts Origin: Germany Certificate: PG Languages: German, Italian, English Subtitles: English Running Time: 150 min

synopsis

Two disc set of Herzog’s documentaries. Features the documentaries Gesualdo: Death For Five Voices and The Transformation Of The World Into Music

GESUALDO: DEATH FOR FIVE VOICES


Exploring the tumultuous and tragic life of the notorious Carlo Gesualdo, Werner Herzog’s Death for Five Voices is a sombre examination of the troubled, 16th century composer – compellingly regaled through the eyes of admirers and critics alike. The majority of the film is shot at the Gesualdo Castle, where the Prince of Venosa spent his final years under curious circumstances, and which is now tended to by equally eccentric residents of the nearby village. Herzog’s exploration posits Gesualdo as an artist (specifically expressionist), an alleged masochist and eventually a madman perpetually haunted by the demons of past deeds. Yet, this depiction is incidental to the primary focus of the film – that Gesualdo was a musical visionary whose name resides amongst the likes of Wagner and Stravinsky.

THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE WORLD INTO MUSIC


Werner Herzog’s The Transformation of the World into Music is an elegant and adroitly executed documentary, which captures the cultural excitement inherent in the annual Bayreuth Festival. Centring around the operatic works of 19th century composer Richard Wagner, the event has earned a pilgrimatic ambiance amongst Wagner-enthusiasts – and attracts a waiting list of several years to obtain tickets. An opera enthusiast himself, Herzog (who holds little reservation about placing himself within the mise-en-scene) has managed to expertly capture the intricacies of the festival is his inimitable fashion.

Special Features:


* Herzog biography * Pilgrimage featurette