This month has seen two DW documentaries winning prestigious European awards. “Machine Music – Four Decades of German Electronic and Dance Music” took home a Golden Dolphin at the Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards. Another documentary with a musical focus, “Schumann at Pier2,” won the Czech Television Prize.

“Machine Music” is all about the evolution of electronic pop music in Germany. The two-part film, by Reiner Schild and Anja Freyhoff-King, starts with German pioneer Kraftwerk in the 1970s and goes on to show the influence of German groups on international acts like Depeche Mode and Pet Shop Boys.

The Golden Dolphin is the fourth award for “Machine Music,” which was released in 2010 as part of the Deutsche Beats project.

“Schumman at Pier2” is shaping up to follow in the footsteps of “Machine Music.” “Schumann” director Christian Berger and producer Bernhard Fleischer accepted the Czech Television Prize in Prague last week.

“Schumann at Pier2” is a modern take on the four symphonies made by legendary composer Robert Schumann. The narrative follows Estonian-American conductor Paavo Järvi and members of the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen as they play at a converted shipyard.

This Friday (October 26) sees the official release event for “Schumann at Pier2” at Kino International in Berlin. Audiences will be able to watch the documentary on DW as well as the European cultural channel Arte starting in November. Berlin-based C Major Entertainment plans to sell a DVD box set including recordings by the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen.

Following in the footsteps of “The Beethovn Project”, DW’s new classic music documentary “Schumann at Pier2” will run at the 2012 Montreal World Film Festival. The festival’s committee chose the 98-minute concert film directed by Christian Berger for its “Documentaries of the World” category. The festival will take place from August 23 to September 3.

“Schumann at Pier2” follows Estonian-American conductor Paavo Järvi and the musicians of the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen as they offer a modern take on all four of Robert Schumann’s symphonies in Bremen. The concerts are staged at a converted shipyard.

Viewers in Europe will also have the chance to watch the film on the European cultural television channel Arte in November, following the official premiere of the film at Berlin’s film theatre Kino International. In addition, Label C Major Entertainment will sell a DVD box set featuring the documentary and recordings from the concerts.

DW was once again recognized for its music documentary The Beethoven Project – this time at the New York Festivals International Television and Film Awards. The film received the Silver World Medal in the category “The Arts”. This is the 14^th award for the four-part documentary, which focuses on star conductor Paavo Järvi and selected members of the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen.

Global Ideas also picked up a “Finalist Certificate” in the category “Environment & Ecology”.

Deutsche Welle (DW) was once again recognized for its documentary “The Beethoven Project” – this time from the “Hot Bird TV Awards 2011”. “The Beethoven Project” won in the category “Best Program” at an award ceremony in Venice on November 25. More than 150 stations from 10 countries submitted entries for the awards in 10 categories. This is already the 14th award that DW has picked up for “The Beethoven Project”. The documentary is now also available on DVD from Sony Music.

“The Beethoven Project” focuses on star conductor Paavo Järvi and selected members of the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen. They show their enthusiasm for music – in rehearsal, in concert and behind the scenes.