The Documentary

The musical interpretations of conductor Paavo Järvi and the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen are matched for modernity and freshness by the visual realisation of the four concert recordings and the 90 minute concert film.

The setting chosen by the filmmakers is an unusual one: 'Pier2', a former shipyard building in the port city of Bremen. Leading conductor Paavo Järvi and the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen recorded all four symphonies by Robert Schumann there over several days in front of a live audience. For the concert recordings in this post-industrial location, eight HD cameras, dollies, crane and remote camera technology were all used. The result is a set of television recordings of the Schumann symphonies such as has never been seen before.

In addition to the concert recordings, a 98-minute concert film was also produced: 'Schumann at Pier2' directed by Christian Berger who won many international prizes for his last music film "The Beethoven Project".

In 'Schumann at Pier2', conductor Paavo Järvi and selected members of the orchestra comment on important passages in the music and recount some of the background from the life of Robert Schumann. The film also offers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the rehearsals, and focuses on significant excerpts from the symphonies. Together it adds up to a fascinating, accessible and entertaining audiovisual journey through Robert Schumann's symphonic world. This is classical music far from the ivory tower - it is music television for those who know about classical music as well those who are hearing it for the first time.