Timeline History
The Allegro™ Films timeline began in 1966, when cameras ventured backstage to introduce the television public to the energetic charisma and youthful authority of Daniel Barenboim and Vladimir Ashkenazy. Double Concerto had a profound and enduring impact and set the tone for the next six decades of music film production.
Over time, the world began to discover that while books, audio recordings and concerts may be able to do so much for the art itself, when it comes to remembering our artists, performers or composers, films can do something which none of the other media is quite able to match. As such, the Allegro Films archive has acquired considerable historical and cultural value.
1966
Double Concerto
With Daniel Barenboim and Vladimir Ashkenazy. Shot with the Arriflex 16BL, a silent 16mm camera, to begin a new era of film-making
1967
Segovia at Los Olivos
Rare footage of Andrés Segovia who invited Allegro Films to his home when he was 74 years old.
1968
Vladimir Ashkenazy: The Vital Juices are Russian
Documentary about the Russian pianist and conductor at a pivotal moment in his life outside the Soviet Union
1969
The Trout
Legendary ensemble with Jacqueline du Pré, Daniel Barenboim, Zubin Mehta, Pinchas Zukerman & Itzhak Perlman
1970
The Ghost
London recital with Jacqueline du Pré, Daniel Barenboim & Pinchas Zukerman
1971
John Williams at Ronnie Scott’s
Documentary built around a special night at one of London’s most famous music venues
1972
Ashkenazy at Essex
Beethoven & Chopin recitals at Essex University
1973
Carmen: The Dream & the Desting
Behind the scenes at the Hamburg State Opera with Placido Domingo & Huguette
1974
Mozart by Zukerman
Munich recital with the English Chamber Orchestra
1975
Pinchas Zukerman: Here to Make Music
Documentary filmed over seven years with the Israeli-American violinist, violist and conductor
1977
Andrès Segovia: Song of the Guitar
Documentary, including a recital at the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain
1978
Itzhak Perlman & Pinchas Zukerman: Grand Duos 1 & 2
Unique recital at London’s Royal College of Music
1978
Perlman Plays Bach at St John’s
Bach D Minor Partita & Bach E Major Partita
1978
Itzhak Perlman: Virtuoso Violinist
Documentary charting the formative years of this international star
1978
Brahms Violin Concerto
Itzhak Perlman, Lawrence Foster & Philharmonia Orchestra
1979
Elegies for the Deaths of Three Spanish Poets
BAFTA-winning documentary with Marc Neikrug
1980
Vladimir Ashkenazy: Beethoven and Chopin Recitals
Beethoven Hammerklavier Sonata, Op. 110 & 111; and Chopin Preludes
1981
Through Roses
Musical stage drama by Marc Neikrug, with Pinchas Zukerman
1982
Ottorino Respighi: A Dream of Italy
Composer documentary with Vladimir Ashkenazy
1982
Jacqueline du Pré and the Elgar Cello Concerto
Documentary about the cellist’s connection to Elgar’s final masterpiece
1983
Johannes Brahms 1833 – 1897
Three-part film with Pinchas Zukerman & Marc Neikrug
1983
Vladimir Ashkenazy: Beethoven and Chopin Recitals cont…
Beethoven Sonatas, Op. 101 & 109; Chopin Nocturnes, Op.9 (numbers 1 & 3) & Polonaise; Op.27 (number 1 & 2) and Sonata in B minor, Op.58
1983
Modest Mussorgski: Pictures at an Exhibition
Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Vladimir Ashkenazy
1984
Jean Sibelius 1865 – 1957: The Early Years & Maturity and Silence
Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Vladimir Ashkenazy
1984
Schubert Sonatinas & Arpeggione Sonata
Recitals with Pinchas Zukerman & Marc Neikrug
1985
Variations on a Theme of Corelli by Sergei Rachmaninoff
Recital introduced and played by Vladimir Ashkenazy
1985
Ashkenazy Plays Rachmaninoff
Recital of six Etude Tableaux Op.39 & Corelli Variations, Op.42
1985
Ashkenazy Plays Schuman
Papillons – Etudes Symphoniques
1985
The Language of the New Music
Documentary on Schoenberg & Wittgenstein
1987
Ashkenazy Observed
Documentary compilation of Allegro’s filming with Ashkenazy
1988
Tchaikovsky’s Woman (part one)
Documentary with Vladimir Ashkenazy & The Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra
1989
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Fate (part two)
Documentary with Vladimir Ashkenazy & The Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra
1991
Nathan Milstein: Master of Invention: Some Memories of a Quiet Magician
Rare documentary footage and insight, in two parts
1993
Kreutzer Sonata recital
Nathan Milstein’s last concert recital, with Georges Pludermacher
1994
Franz Peter Schubert: The Greatest Love and the Greatest Sorrow
Composer documentary focusing on the last few years of his life
1995
Remembering Jacqueline du Pré
Documentary to mark what would have been her 50th birthday
1995
Paganini’s Daemon: A Most Enduring Legend
The extraordinary story of the Italian composer, with Gidon Kremer
1998
Homage to Astor Piazzolla
Documentary about the Argentinian composer and bandoneonist
1998
Evgeny Kissin: The Gift of Music and Evgeny Kissin at the Royal Albert Hall
Documentary and a famous London recital
1999
Gidon Kremer: Man of Many Musics
Documentary on the Latvian violinist
1994
Who Was Jacqueline du Pré?
Documentary focusing on the enigmatic cellist’s true nature
1995
Evgeny Kissin at Orange
Recital of Bach, Schumann, Mussorgsky & encores
2004
We Want the Light: The Jews and German Music
Exploration of the complex relationship between Jews and German music
2005
Tribute to Jacqueline du Pré
Film to mark 60 years after her birth, now superseded by our film in 2025 called Jacqueline du Pré: Genius & Tragedy
2008
Karim’s Journey
The musical development of pianist and conductor Karim Said
2009
Everything is a Present: The Wonder and Grace of Alice Sommer Herz
Profile of the remarkable pianist and Holocaust survivor
2011
Nathan Milstein and the Bach Chaconne
Maestro’s reflection on one of the masterpieces of Western music
2015
Daniil Trifonov: The Magics of Music
Documentary profile on the Russian protégé
2015
Daniil Trifonov in Castelfranco Veneto
23-year-old plays Chopin, Scriabin, Rachmaninov and Strauss
2017
Jacqueline du Pré: A Gift Beyond Words
Documentary and performance to mark 40 years after her death
2020
Barenboim on Beethoven: The Lost Tapes
13-part series originally shot at London’s Roundhouse in 1969
2021
Listening Through the Lens
Documentary tribute about Christopher Nupen, our founder
2025
Jacqueline du Pré: Genius and Tragedy
Definitive documentary for what would have been her 80th birthday