The All-Star Orchestra gives you a front row seat to the world’s greatest music, performed by top players chosen from over 30 great American orchestras, and conducted by Gerard Schwarz. The programmes feature complete performances of popular masterpieces and world premieres of new works by leading American composers. Filmed in High-Definition with multiple cameras in and around the orchestra, the All-Star Orchestra celebrates the symphonic experience in the 21st century.

Programme 15: British Enigmas
Elgar - Enigma Variations
The score is dedicated to “my friends pictured within,” and each Variation represents a real person. As he was finishing the work, Elgar wrote: “The enigma I will not explain – its ‘dark saying’ must be left unguessed, and I warn you that the apparent connection between the Variations and the Theme is often of the slightest texture.” A musical mystery of great beauty and endless fascination.
Britten - The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra
The perennial family favourite that showcases – one by one – all the instruments in the orchestra. It is a perfect introduction to the symphony orchestra.

Programme 16: Mysterious Mountain
Hovhaness - Symphony no.2, op.132, “Mysterious Mountain”
The composer wrote: “Mountains are symbols, Iike pyramids, of man’s attempt to know God. Mountains are symbolic meeting pIaces between the mundane and spiritual worId.” (Special thanks to Hinako Hovhaness)
E Goossens et al - Jubilee Variations
This is a world-première video recording of this unpublished 1944 work created by Eugene Goossens with contributions from ten composer friends: Aaron Copland, Deems Taylor, Howard Hanson, Walter Piston, William Schuman, Roy Harris, Anis Fuleihan, Bernard Rogers, Ernest Bloch, and Paul Creston.

“The performances are uniformly excellent. The musicianship on display is always good, at times astonishing.” – Audiophile Audition

“Here it is, folks: Music Education 101 for the 21st century!” – Fanfare

Picture format: NTSC 16:9
Sound format: Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1, PCM Stereo
Language: English