Tchaikovsky: Romeo And Juliet Fantasy Overture / Capriccio Italien / Souvenir De Florence (DVD)

Tchaikovsky: Romeo And Juliet Fantasy Overture / Capriccio Italien / Souvenir De Florence (DVD) ... Tchaikovsky provides the soundtrack for this romantic Naxos Musical Journey around some of Italy's most evocative and beautiful sights, seen from every angle and in every kind of light. With contributions from the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra and the Vienna Chamber Orchestra, the viewer is treated to lush renditions of some of Tchaikovsky's best-loved melodies, led by the "Fantasy Overture" from Romeo and Juliet. It's a simple idea and it works. Sight after sight, from Juliet's balcony to Michelangelo's David, from the Pitti palace to Vesuvius, comes alive, beautifully and unpretentiously photographed, to the accompaniment of the rich music. The movements of Souvenir de Florence reverberate through a parade of views from this most beautiful of cities. And the whole thing reaches a rousing climax with the Capriccio Italien. As a travelogue, it's a pleasing antidote to the standard television fare of loud presenters spouting clichés outside nightclubs. And it's a relaxing way to listen to the music in a relevant context, which includes a visual tour of the Villa Bonciani where Tchaikovsky lived and composed for a time. On the DVD: This musical journey is presented in standard television (4:3) aspect ratio that gives decent definition to the lush photography. You can choose your own soundtrack option: DTS Surround works best for drenching you in the emotions of Tchaikovsky's strings. The E-Z Menu system is a rather cumbersome way of finding out more about the locations on view; a simple on/off function would surely work just as well. --Piers Ford