The BBC are currently running a mini-series of Gergiev/LSO concerts recorded at the Barbican earlier this year. They're being broadcast on BBC4 at 7.30 on Friday nights.
And they're offered for free download via the BBC iPlayer site.
Previously this only worked for Vista or XP users, but as from today, it's Mac and Linux enabled too.
Available on the iPlayer until 7.30 tomorrow (14 December) is the first programme, featuring Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, Debussy's Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune and La Mer, and Prokofiev's Seven They Are Seven. There's also a little pre-concert chat from Gergiev, sitting relaxed in a checked shirt and rather less terrifying than his podium persona suggests.
Once that expires tomorrow, the second programme will be available for a week. This features Stravinsky's music for the ballet Petrushka and his Symphony in 3 Movements, Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No 1 with soloist Vadim Repin, and three of Debussy's Préludes for piano.
You have to install the iPlayer software, and it takes a while to download (about 30 minutes for me), but the picture quality is excellent, every speck of the Gergiev stubble pinpointed. Other music programmes currently available there include a fascinating series on Brazilian music.
Xmas-period BBC TV broadcasts are scheduled for La Fille du Régiment from Covent Garden and the Simón Bolivar Youth Orchestra from the Proms. It's possible these may turn up on the iPlayer at some time too, so keep your eyes peeled.
***UPDATE***
La Fille du Régiment is scheduled for broadcast at 7.30pm on 30 December on BBC4. It's not yet clear whether it will be distributed via the iPlayer.
