Claudio Abbado – Hearing the Silence

Claudio Abbado was one of the world's finest and most-respected conductors. A strong advocate of the development of young musical talent, he was instrumental in the foundation of several orchestras, including the Lucerne Festival Orchestra. Filmmaker Paul Smaczny followed his career over many years, regularly filming and interviewing him. In this profile, released to mark his 70th birthday in 2003, Abbado talks about his life and work, his conception of music, his favourite compositions. Never-before-seen interviews are combined with images of the conductor in rehearsal and in concert, interviews with friends and colleagues, and archival material. The resulting portrait presents this "silent thinker" under a new and unexpected light.

Soloist: 

Albrecht Mayer (Oboe)

Ensembles: 

Berliner Philharmoniker, Wiener Philharmoniker

Conductors: 

Claudio Abbado, Daniel Harding