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In Rehearsal & in Concert on DVD

Valery Gergiev is an inspirational leader: he has almost single-handedly made the Kirov Opera in St Petersburg a household name in the music world. He is also Principal Conductor of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra. Gergiev is an exciting and authoritative interpreter of the Russian symphonic repertoire, and the international revival of interest in Prokofiev's music in the past five years or so can be largely attributed to Gergiev's efforts. In this recording he is seen working with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra on a lesser-known work by Prokofiev - the Scythian Suite. Footage of rehearsals and performance are interwoven with comments from Gergiev and Oleg Prokofiev, the composer's son; archive film material of Prokofiev; and examples of Scythian treasures in the Hermitage Museum, to create a picture of the composer and his music. The film gives a unique insight into the chemistry which exists between composer, conductor and orchestra, and the means by which a masterly performance is achieved.