A new way of experiencing and enjoying the great works of music from the Baroque to the Modern Period – thanks to a new educational series of audio-visual concert guides, Introducing Masterpieces of Classical Music. Each release includes extensive documentation and a complete performance of the work, or works, in question. Famous masterpieces from the standard repertoire of the greatest international orchestras (Berliner Philharmoniker, Wiener Philharmoniker, Gewandhaus Orchester…) are brought closer to the viewer through first class concert broadcasts in a timely visual style.

Includes 26 mins introductory feature + full concert performance of the masterpiece.

The Surprise Symphony is the best known of the over 100 symphonies by Haydn. Its second movement is the most popular and gave the symphony its name: legend has it that the sudden beat of the timpani was meant to rouse members of the audience who had fallen asleep.

With a lot of humour, Robert Levin tells the story of the legendary “surprise” and shows, on piano, the special characteristics of the composition.

Recorded live at the Hagia Eirene, Istanbul 2001.

Picture format DVD: NTSC  16:9
Sounds formats DVD: PCM Stereo, DD 5.1, DTS 5.1
Region code: 0
Subtitles: English, German, French, Spanish
Booklet notes: English, German, French
Running time: 27 mins (documentary) + 27 mins (performance)
FSK: 0