DVD + Blu-Ray:
Leonard Bernstein – Ode to Freedom

Leonard Bernstein’s historic concert in celebration of the Fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 – Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 “Ode To Freedom”.

After the Fall of the Berlin Wall on 9 November 1989, Leonard Bernstein spontaneously accepted an invitation to conduct a performance to celebrate this historic event, in his typically grandiose yet eloquent way.
It was only fitting that East Germany’s new-found freedom should be celebrated with Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. The monumental work, perhaps the world’s most famous symphony, is inspired by Schiller’s poem “Ode to Joy”, a passionate paean to freedom.
Adding to the symbolism of the event, Bernstein conducted an orchestra and choir formed of musicians from both East and West Germany (Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Staatskapelle Dresden), as well as the United States (New York Philharmonic), Great Britain (London Symphony), France (Orchestre de Paris) and the Soviet Union (Orchestra of the Kirov Theatre).
Equally international: the illustrious and acclaimed cast of vocalists bringing together June Anderson, Sarah Walker, Klaus König and Jan-Hendrik Rootering.
This outstanding concert was broadcast in more than 20 countries.

For the 30th anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall, “Ode To Freedom” is now available on Blu-ray – digitally remastered, including extensive high-quality visual restoration.

“I feel this is the heaven-sent moment to sing 'Freiheit' wherever the music indicates the word 'Freude'. If ever there was a historic time to take an academic risk in the name of human joy, this is it, and I am sure we have Beethoven’s blessing.” (Leonard Bernstein)

Original title Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 "Ode to Freedom"
Genre Orchestral Music, Classical Music
Recording location Konzerthaus Berlin
Production year 1989
Duration 94 minutes
Video format 4:3 HD Upscale
Audio format PCM Stereo, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Composer Ludwig van Beethoven
Orchestra / Band Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Members of: Staatskapelle Dresden, Orchestra of the Kirov Theatre Leningrad (now the Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre St. Petersburg), London Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic
Director Humphrey Burton
ChoirBavarian Radio Chorus, Members of the Rundfunkchor Berlin, Dresden Philharmonic Children’s Choir