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List Price: $39.95Amazon.com's Price: $35.99 You Save: $3.96 (10%)Prices subject to change.
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Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: DVD
EAN: 0089948426790
Format: Classical, Color, DVD-Video, Letterboxed, NTSC
Label: Video Artists Int'l
Manufacturer: Video Artists Int'l
Number Of Discs: 2
Number Of Items: 2
Publisher: Video Artists Int'l
Release Date: March 30, 2004
Running Time: 165 minutes
Sales Rank: 29830
Studio: Video Artists Int'l
Theatrical Release Date: 2003
Editorial Review:
Description:
WHAT THE UNIVERSE TELLS ME:UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES OF MAHLER'S THIRD SYMPHONY is a documentary that explores how philosophy, mythology and music combine in Mahler's Third Symphony to create an all-encompassing panoramic experience. From the volcanoes of the South Pacific to the Alpine peaks and meadows where Mahler composed, in WHAT THE UNIVERSE TELLS ME dramatic images from the natural world give shape to the Symphony's evolutionary saga. Performances combine with illustrative artwork, computer animation, historical film clips and the insights of world-renowned historians, philosophers and biographers. Thinkers such as Howard Gardner, Stan Brakhage and Catherine Keller join Mahler experts Henry Louis de La Grange, Donald Mitchell, Peter Franklin and Morten Solvik to introduce this masterpiece to new audiences and to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its premiere.
Amazon.com:
Magnificent! What the Universe Tells Me is probably the deepest, most painstakingly detailed but also approachable attempt to decipher the inner dynamics of a complex work of art ever entrusted to any recording medium. And Mahler's Third Symphony deserves such careful. loving attention; one of the many commentators in this production calls it an attempt 'to capture the human condition in a work of music.' All the commentators contribute precious insights from their specialized disciplines to help viewers see this masterpiece whole. Besides Stockard Channing, the primary narrator, and Thomas Hampson, who discusses the music and sings a song whose melody is an important element in the symphony's structure, commentators include Henry Louis de la Grange, author of the definitive Mahler biography, and a fine array of musicologists, music historians, philosophers, and a theologian. A theologian? Yes; this symphony is, among other things, a vast theological stattement about man's place in the universe. Philosophers are needed, too, to explore Mahler's relations to Nietzsche and Schopenhauer. But they all do it in easy-to-understand terms.
Mahler gave six working titles to the symphony's movements: 'Pan Awakes; Summer Marches In'; 'What the Flowers in the Meadow Tell Me'; 'What the Animals in the Forest Tell Me'; 'What Humanity Tells Me'; 'What the Angels Tell Me'; and 'What Love Tells Me.' These were left out when he published the symphony, but they give useful hints to the commentators and justify some breathtaking visuals shown with the music: landscapes, flowers, paintings and sculptures and churches.
The music, of course, is magnificent, and it is presented twice on two discs, once with voice-over commentary and once in a live, unedited performance. Special features include 11 'mini-documentaries' on subjects related to the music. --Joe McLellan
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Beautiful, mind-expanding journey!
"What the Universe Tells Me" is gripping. Opening in deep space, the viewer is confronted with a superstring that vibrates matter and energy into existence. This is not a natural history film but rather an aesthetic, philosophical journey. We are asked to consider the possibility that music, the art of vibration, is an essential creative force in the universe. Musical and philosophical experts from around the world explore Mahler's thinking and inspiration within a rich cultural context. The ... Read More
Rating:  - Its Script Bests Its Visuals
The script of this piece is good, making this a potentially wonderful radio program. It explains the original thematic program of Mahler's 3rd and its historical, philosophical background more than it explains the symphony in musical terms. Nor does the documentary make much reference to other Mahler works or to other composers--but this history is solidly educational.
The visual production of the piece is less sophisticated; many garish, contemporary pictures of landscape or sky chosen ... Read More
Rating: - Not a Music Video, but an Explorative Documentary
Many people have written glowing approvals for the musical content, and rightly so. And several have expressed disappointment in the performance with statements such as, "..student performance.." etc. Also, rightly so. But this DVD is so much more than a Music Video. The film and video footage is amazing, the narrative is clear and insightful, Ms. Channing is delighful, and the in-depth and detailed treatment of the subject is exemplary! This DVD is an inspiration as well as an expository of ... Read More
Rating:  - A huge disappointment!
Perhaps my disappointment with this DVD is accentuated by my previous experience with the excellent Claudio Abbado DVD's of Mahler 2, 5, 7 and 9. Also, the 9th is with his Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester, all as young as the students playing here. But this orchestra falls well short!!! I did not think that it would be possible to gave a pedestrian performance of this wonderfully dramatic symphony. But this certainly is, the glowing reviews presented here notwithstanding.
To make matters ... Read More
Rating: - BRAVO!
I really don't know what I could add -- especially to the cogent comments of earlier reviewer Ms. Anna Wolfson and Amazon's own Mr. Joe McLellan -- to help you decide whether this is worth your while. ...Except to write BRAVO!
"Bravo!" to the producer, writer, and editor of the documentary, Jason Starr -- it really is a revelation in how a DVD can meld with music and the other arts to produce something extraordinary. And on my home computer! THIS is what I have waited a lifetime for, to see ... Read More
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