1. The Way of the Shaman Drum (鼓韵关东)
During the Cultural Revolution in China in the late 20th century, ethnic Manchu people were persecuted and forced to give up such cultural traditions as the shaman dance . However, on Changbai Mountain in Northeast China, a farmer named Guan Yunde decided to start designing and building traditional Manchu shaman drums. At age 70, he is one of a minority of ethnic Manchu people in China's Jilin province, and one of the few people keeping the Manchu shamanic tradition alive.
It has an average vote of 9 on TMDB.
2. There Is No Authority But Yourself
A Dutch documentary about the history of the anarchist punk band Crass. The film features archival footage of the band, and interviews with former members Steve Ignorant, Penny Rimbaud and Gee Vaucher.
It has an average vote of 5.8 on TMDB.
3. Ode to Joy: Beethoven's Symphony No. 9
Showcasing a musical masterpiece in a rare full-length television recording by the Vienna Chamber Orchestra with the Westminster Symphonic Choir, under the direction of conductor Mark Laycook. An introduction to the performance, narrated by actor John Lithgow, gives a unique perspective on music history.
4. Of Love, Death, and Beyond: Exploring Mahler's Resurrection Symphony
“What is this life—and this death?” Gustav Mahler famously asked when composing his second symphony. Does consciousness “continue” on a higher cosmic level, he wondered, or is it “only an empty dream?” Narrated by renowned baritone Thomas Hampson, this film explores the musical, biographical, and philosophical background of the monumental work. Viewers are treated to beautifully produced historical reenactments as well as interviews with many of the world’s most respected Mahler scholars and biographers, including Henry-Louis de La Grange, Donald Mitchell, Morten Solvik, and others. Philosopher Martha Nussbaum and theologians Catherine Keller and Neil Gillman also add their insights. Woven throughout is a critically acclaimed performance of the symphony featuring members of the New York Philharmonic and the Philadelphia Orchestra under the direction of maestro Neeme Järvi.
5. Djembefola (Djembefola)
African drummer leaves village, makes it big in the world. Great drumming!!
It has an average vote of 7.8 on TMDB.
6. Samuel Barber: Absolute Beauty
Known for his mournful "Adagio for Strings," Samuel Barber was never quite fashionable. This acclaimed film is a probing exploration of his music and melancholia. Performance, oral history, musicology, and biography combine to explore the life and music of one of America’s greatest composers. Features Thomas Hampson, Leonard Slatkin, Marin Alsop and many more of the world's leading experts on Barber's music, with tributes from composers Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, Virgil Thomson and William Schuman. The film was broadcast on PBS, and screened at nine film festivals internationally, with three best-of awards. It was named a Recording of the Year 2017 by MusicWeb International.
It has an average vote of 10 on TMDB.
7. Heartbeat of a Nation
A short documentary that celebrates Dene cultural reclamation and revitalization, in which a father passes on traditional knowledge to his child through the teachings of a caribou drum.
8. National Park Symphony: The Mighty Five
Celebrate the grandeur and majesty of Utah’s five national parks set to glorious music from the Utah Symphony. See stunning iconic images, grand vistas and secret locations in Zion, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Arches National Parks.
9. Yanni: Live at the Acropolis
A concert by contemporary instrumental musician, Yanni, recorded live at the Herodes Atticus Theatre in Athens on 25 Sep 1993.
It has an average vote of 8.4 on TMDB.
10. Ferocious Drummers
FEROCIOUS DRUMMERS is the original groundbreaking documentary about the greatest rhythmic rebels, that was nearly lost forever. In this never-before-seen footage, rediscovered 17 years after it was first produced, dozens of music legends recount what it means to be a percussive virtuoso in the world of Rock n Roll. This documentary film, chronicling their unique and unprecedented journeys, Ferocious Drummers delves into the dynamic real life of modern rock's greatest magicians of tempo. What makes them tick, who inspired them, why do they do what they do, and ultimately, what fuels the sticks and their drive inside the world's greatest bands.
11. Nas: Live from the Kennedy Center
Two decades after the album’s critically acclaimed release, hip-hop artist Nas teamed up with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., to stage a symphonic rendition of “Illmatic,” one of the most revered albums in hip-hop history. Nas: Live From the Kennedy Center captures the energy and nostalgia of this collaborative performance.
It has an average vote of 9 on TMDB.
12. Kick Drum Hearts
In 2010, the Mariemont Boys Cross Country team tries to repeat the historic season they had in 2009 after they lose their top two runners.
It has an average vote of 10 on TMDB.
13. Kenji Kawai - Cinema Symphony
Concert DVD release from Kenji Kawai includes footage of his November 7, 2007 performance at the Yokohama Pacifico with full-orchestra background and guest performances from Miu Sakamoto and more! Includes songs from the series "Innocence," "Ghost In The Shell", "Patlabor", "Avalon", "Death Note", and more!
It has an average vote of 5.8 on TMDB.
14. The Curse of the Gothic Symphony
A group of brave and committed musicians take on an 80 year curse in an attempt to stage one of the longest, largest and most technically difficult symphonies ever composed.
It has an average vote of 7 on TMDB.
15. Man Who Causes a Storm (嵐を呼ぶ男)
Shoichi Kokubun is a roughneck street musician, who has a brother that is determined to propel him into stardom. In attempt to catch the attention of a popular jazz band, his brother appeals to their manager who has the power to make him a star. In a graphic portrayal of love, betrayal and success, Shoichi brews up a storm with a 'rat-a-tat-tat' on the drums.
It has an average vote of 6.7 on TMDB.
16. Beethoven · Violin Concerto & Symphony No. 6 'Pastoral' (Bernard Haitink, Isabelle Faust) (Beethoven · Violin Concerto & Symphony No. 6 'Pastoral' (Bernard Haitink, Isabelle Faust))
(Beethoven · Violin Concerto & Symphony No. 6 'Pastoral' (Bernard Haitink, Isabelle Faust))
17. Collective Soul - Home
Multi-platinum recording artists release their first-ever live DVD. Recorded in April 2005, the shows were filmed in the band's hometown of Atlanta during two special sold-out performances featuring the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. The 20-song collection spans ninety minutes and encompasses hits from Collective Soul's seven studio albums, including their latest release, "Youth".
It has an average vote of 4.2 on TMDB.
18. The Little Drummer Boy
After being kidnapped and escaping, young drummer boy Aaron searches for his camel and finds him in the Nativity of the Baby Jesus. Aaron gives Baby Jesus the only gift he has, a song on his drum.
It has an average vote of 6.608 on TMDB.
19. Beethoven - Symphonies 1-9 (Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle) (Beethoven - Symphonies 1-9 (Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle))
Recordings of all the Beethoven symphonies with their chief conductor are always a milestone in the artistic work of the Berliner Philharmoniker. So it was with Herbert von Karajan and Claudio Abbado, and expectations are correspondingly high for this cycle conducted by Sir Simon Rattle. Where does the special status of these symphonies come from? Simon Rattle has an explanation: “One of the things Beethoven does is to give you a mirror into yourself – where you are now as a musician.” In fact, this music contains such a wealth of extreme emotions and brilliant compositional ideas that reveal the qualities of the orchestra and its conductor as if under a magnifying glass.
It has an average vote of 10 on TMDB.
20. 35 Jahre BÖHSE ONKELZ Symphonien und Sonaten Live – Das Klassikkonzert (35 Jahre BÖHSE ONKELZ Symphonien und Sonaten Live – Das Klassikkonzert)
(35 Jahre BÖHSE ONKELZ Symphonien und Sonaten Live – Das Klassikkonzert)
It has an average vote of 10 on TMDB.
