Carlos Kleiber, the eccentric and reclusive conductor has achieved cult status in music circles and has built a loyal fan base. The film uncovers some of the mysteries and tries to clear up preconceptions of one of the most elusive conductors: what were the real reasons he cancelled that often? It sheds light on the relationships with his family, including his father and mother, traces the developments of his career and covers the ‘mythologizing’ that started during the lifetime of the maestro. Carlos Kleiber has always been a major mystery to the world and probably even to himself too. He disposed to close the door to his closest family circle for any biographers and his children indeed respect his wish. This is why the filmmaker had to do his research amongst the conductor’s musical companions, collaborators and friends. The film includes never seen before film footage, interviews with Ricardo Muti, Otto Schenk, Dr. Otto Staindl, friend and attending physician of Carlos Kleiber, members of the Wiener Philharmoniker, the Münchener Philharmoniker and the Berliner Philharmoniker. Many of them own letters or small notepads by Kleiber, documentary reproductions, photographs or private video copies of rehearsals and concerts. In addition to this, his rare records are milestones and extracts of them will certainly be included in the film.

This documentary is also available on DVD: C Major 705608

Picture: 16:9, colour/bw

Sound: PCM Stereo

Subtitles: Original language: German version and English spoken version, French, Spanish, Japanese and Korean.

Booklet: Eng/Ger/Fre

“Painstaking and rigorous, freewheeling and visionary, the legendary conductor's mixed characteristics clearly emerge in this gripping documentary. No complete performances included, but the rehearsal footage is electrifying.” BBC Music Magazine