The Labéque Way (2017)

by | Apr 21, 2017 | DVD & Blu-ray Video Reviews

A wonderful documentary on probably the leading two-piano team in the classical world.

The Labéque Way (2017)

Cast: Katia & Marielle Labéque, Alessandro Baricco, Sir Simon Rattle, Semyon Bychkov
Director: Félix Cabez
Studio: EuroArts Music International 2064058 (3/3/17)
Video: 1.33:1 for 16:9 screens, color
Audio: English, PCM stereo
No region code
Extras: Complete performances of POULENC: Concerto for 2 Pianos & SAINT-SEANS: Carnival of the Animals for 2 Pianists & Orch.
Length: 90 min.
Rating: ****

The New York Times says this is the best piano duo in front of an audience today, and the legendary piano duo of the Labéques is difficult to label, getting into avant-garde and flamenco as well as classical areas. They trace their Spanish roots with playing of Ravel’s Bolero, complete with a special percussion section of Basque origin. Their friends and collaborators appear in the film, as well as performances of works of Mozart, Schubert, Ravel, Albeniz, Golijov and Gershwin.

The duo commissioned a new two-piano concerto especially for this film, Nazareno.  A truly delightful documentary and the sisters look and play as lovely as ever.  The mastering of ordinary DVDs has gotten so good that one would easily think this was a Blu-ray, though it is unfortunate the audio is not in surround like most discs today.

—John Sunier

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