 Online video streaming has had a peculiar effect on the way string players view everyday life. Just ask Emerson Quartet cellist David Finckel. “I realized that I’ve gathered just a whole bunch of practical information along the way,” Finckel says from his New York apartment. “If I were run over by a bus this afternoon, all of that would go with me.”
As the classical community moves beyond YouTube and embraces online videos and broadband streaming, more and more websites are being developed that inform and inspire the player. Here are four more websites featuring video streaming to add to your bookmarks.
David Finckel and Wu Han
With a series of short videos called “David Finckel Cello Talks,” available at his new website, the cellist’s worries have been put to rest. During breaks from touring around the world with the Emerson String Quartet, Finckel videotapes himself covering everything from cello technique to what’s in his cello case. While the production value is a little low—the scenes are shot with a pocket-sized, hot-pink camera—the content value is high, Finckel says. The videos also serve to show a personal side. “There’s something that people find charming about me handling the camera myself and recording in the backseats of cars and bathrooms,” he says. davidfinckelandwuhan.com
Medici Arts
The live performance is the Paris-based Medici Arts’ specialty, having streamed the Swiss Verbier and Aspen festivals, among others. Users can watch the live stream free for the first 60 days it’s available. Other performances from the Medici Arts catalog are available for a fee. medici.tv
Classical TV
Performances, documentaries, and categories—including “Music To Work By”—and links to articles and blogs on classical topics make for a unique and educational experience at Classical TV. Users can choose from free videos to pay-per-view content, which also features live concert streams. classicaltv.com
Berliner Philharmoniker Digital Concert Hall
January will mark the one year anniversary of the Berlin Philharmonic streaming live, high-definition video from its concert hall. Users can choose from an entire season to individual performances featuring Berlin Phil conductor Sir Simon Rattle and other guest conductors and artists. berliner-philharmoniker.de/en
PBS Video (Beta)
In an effort to be more Internet savvy, the Public Broadcasting Service recently has added video streaming to its website, which was in the beta stage at press time. Among the programs offered for free is the Great Performances series, which features the landmark 2008 performance in North Korea by the New Philharmonic under maestro Lorin Maazel. video.pbs.org
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