DVDs of classical music that used to cost about 200 yuan (US$24) can be bought for one-tenth that price today.

Released by Poloarts Entertainment Co Ltd, a series of licensed classical music DVDs is now available in major record stores in China, including such gems as Beethoven's nine symphonies by the Berliner Philharmoniker under Claudio Abbado, "Solti and Perahia in Performance of Beethoven" and "Homage to Maestro Rodrigo," which features guitarist Kaori Muraji with the Symphonic Orchestra of Comunidad de Madrid.

The series comes as the result of one year's negotiation between Poloarts and several European companies to release some of their best classical music DVDs in China.

After 10 years of engagement in producing audio and visual music products in China, Poloarts has set the reasonable price of 20 yuan (US$2.40) for its music DVDs, which the company hopes will help cut down on sales of pirated DVDs.

In addition to classical music, the series also includes contemporary music, such as Tan Dun's "Ghost Opera" played by the Kronos Quartet and pipa (four-stringed Chinese lute) soloist Wu Man, jazz, such as Herbie Mann's "Jasil Brazz," and a two-DVD set of the concert "Spirit of Music," which features diverse musicians such as innovative vocalist Bobby McFerrin, violinist Nigel Kennedy and the Bulgarian Voices "Angelite."

The whole series of DVDs will consist of about 100 discs, divided into four categories: festival concerts in Europe, such as Summer Concert from the Waldbuhne, Europa-Konzert and Silvesterkonzert; live performances of world-renowned maestros, such as Michelangeli, Penderecki and Argerich; documentary films, such as "The Mariinsky Theatre -- Behind the scenes of Russian's most famous opera house," and "Jazz seen -- The Life and Times of Photographer William Claxton;" operas, such as Puccini's "Tosca," Bizet's "Carmen" and the Kunqu Opera (traditional Chinese opera which originated in Jiangsu Province) "Peony Pavilion" performed by the Shanghai Kunqu Opera Theatre.

Each DVD contains a booklet in Chinese.

Twenty of the discs have already been released. In Beijing the DVDs can be bought at the Xidan Book Mansion, Poloarts Record store and other major record stores.

(China Daily April 15, 2004)