In this provocative video presentation, distinguished pianist Malcolm Bilson poses the question, "Do we really know how to read urtext editions, and how can this lead to expressive, even passionate performance?"

In a one-and-a-half hour lecture before a live audience, aspects of notation of Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Prokofiev, Schubert, and Bartok are examined, showing clearly that there is far more expressive information in these sources than is usually presumed. Additionally, in an interview with pianist David Owen Morris in Bilson's music room, a variety of early pianos are demonstrated and discussed.

Two performances by Bilson are also included: Schubert's Moments Musicaux nos. 2 and 3, performed on an 1830 André Stein piano in the Brahmssaal of the Musikverein in Vienna; and Haydn's Fantasia in C, on a ca. 1795 Anton Walter in Hungary.

This DVD features a widescreen 16:9 transfer and is recorded in Dolby Digital Stereo. There are French, German, and English subtitles; the DVD has region-free encoding. Approx. 90 minutes.