Berlioz: Harold En Italie

On this CD:

1. Harold en Italie (Harold in Italy), symphony for viola & orchestra, H. 68 (Op. 16) Part 1: Harold Aux Montagnes, Scenes de Melancolie de Bonheur et de Joie
Composed by Hector Berlioz
Performed by Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra with Yuri Bashmet
Conducted by Eliahu Inbal

2. Harold en Italie (Harold in Italy), symphony for viola & orchestra, H. 68 (Op. 16) Part 2: Marche de Pèlerins Chantant la Preère Soir
Composed by Hector Berlioz
Performed by Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra with Yuri Bashmet
Conducted by Eliahu Inbal

3. Harold en Italie (Harold in Italy), symphony for viola & orchestra, H. 68 (Op. 16) Part 3: Sérénade d'un Montagnard des Abruzzes a sas Maitresse
Composed by Hector Berlioz
Performed by Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra with Yuri Bashmet
Conducted by Eliahu Inbal

4. Harold en Italie (Harold in Italy), symphony for viola & orchestra, H. 68 (Op. 16) Part 4: Orgie de Brigands Souvenires des Seènes Précédentes
Composed by Hector Berlioz
Performed by Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra with Yuri Bashmet
Conducted by Eliahu Inbal

Tracks:

Symphony Fantastique, Op. 14: 1. Rries, Passions (Largo - Allegro agitato ed appassinonato assai)
Symphony Fantastique, Op. 14: 2. Un bal (Valse: Allegro non troppo)
Symphony Fantastique, Op. 14: 3. Sc aux champs (Adagio)
Symphony Fantastique, Op. 14: 4. Marche au supplice (Allegretto non troppo)
Symphony Fantastique, Op. 14: 5. Songe d'une nuit du Sabbat (Larghetto - Allegro- Ronde du Sabbat: Poco menu mosso)
Tristia, Op 18 (excerpts): 3. Marche fune pour la derni sc d'Hamlet (Allegretto moderato)
La Damnation De Faust, Op. 24 (excerpts): Menuet des follets
La Damnation De Faust, Op. 24 (excerpts): Marche hongroise

Tracks:

Lo ou Le retour a vie, Op. 14b: 1. Le peur (Goethe, Duboys)
Lo ou Le retour a vie, Op. 14b: 2. Choeur d'ombres (Berlioz)
Lo ou Le retour a vie, Op. 14b: 3. Chanson de brigands (Berlioz)
Lo ou Le retour a vie, Op. 14b: 4. Chant de bonheur (Berlioz)
Lo ou Le retour a vie, Op. 14b: 5. La harpe ienne - Souvenirs
Lo ou Le retour a vie, Op. 14b: 6. Fantasie sur la Temp de Shakespeare (Berlioz)
Grande Symphonie fune et triomphale, Op. 15: 1. Marche fune (Moderato un poco lento)
Grande Symphonie fune et triomphale, Op. 15: 2. Oraison fune (Adagio non tanto - Andantino un poco lento e sostenuto)
Grande Symphonie fune et triomphale, Op. 15: 3. Apothe (Allegro non troppo e pomposo)

Tracks:

Harold en Italie, Op.16: 1a. Harold aux montagnes (Adagio)
Harold en Italie, Op.16: 1b. Harold aux montagnes (Allegro)
Harold en Italie, Op.16: 2. Marche des prins (Allegretto)
Harold en Italie, Op.16: 3. Snade (Allegro assai - Allegretto)
Harold en Italie, Op.16: 4. Orgie de brigands (Allegro frenetico - Adagio - Allegro, Tempo I)
Les Troyens arthage: Prelude From: Les Troyens arthage: Part II, Act III
Les Troyens (Act IV): No. 29: Chasse royale et orage - Pantomime
Les Troyens (Act IV): No. 32: Marche pour l'entrde la reine; No. 33: Ballets
Les Troyens (Act IV): -A: Pas des Alm
Les Troyens (Act IV): -B: Danse des esclaves
Les Troyens (Act IV): - C: Pas d'esclaves nubiennes
Rrie et Caprice, Op.8

Tracks:

Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part I, Introduction
Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part I, Prologue: 'D'anciennes haines endormies'
Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part I, Strophe 1: 'Premiers transports que nul n' oublie'
Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part I, Strophe 2: 'Heureux enfants aux coers de flamme'
Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part I, Rtatif et Scherzetto: 'Bientot de Romeo' - 'Mab! la messagere' - Bientot la mort est souveraine'
Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part II, Romseul - Tristesse - Concert eet bal
Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part II, Grande f chez les Capulets
Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part III, 'Ohe! Capulets! Bonsoir, bonsoir!'
Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part III, Sc d'amour

Tracks:

Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part IV, Scherzo: La reine Mab ou la fdes songes
Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part IV, Convoi fune de Juliette: 'Jetez des fleurs pour la vierge expiree!'
Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part IV, Romau tombeau des Capulets
Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part IV, Finale. Choeurs et Rtatif du P Laurence: 'Quo! Romeo de retour!'
Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part IV, Finale. Air du P Laurence: 'Pauvres enfants que je pleure' - 'Mais notre sang rougit leur glaive'
Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part IV, Finale. Serment de rnciliation: 'Jurez donc'

Tracks:

Beatrice et Benedict
Benvenuto Cellini
Overtures: Le roi Lear, Op. 4
Les Francs - juges, Op. 3
Waverley, Op. 1
Le corsaire, Op. 21
Carnaval romain, Op. 9

Amazon.com

Berlioz was the first Romantic master of the orchestra. His music hasn't been surpassed in terms of sheer brilliance and accuracy of effect. This set includes all of the overtures, the Symphonie fantastique, Harold in Italy, the Royal Hunt and Storm from Les Troyens, orchestral music from The Damnation of Faust and Romeo and Juliet, and the completely insane Grande Symphonie funebre et triumphale. Davis achieved his reputation as a conductor as a Berlioz specialist, and he proves an expert advocate on behalf of this stimulating, bizarre, and totally original genius. The recording quality, so critical in such colorful music, is also very good. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

I am in a Box with Berlioz Box Sets.......2004-02-22

First I ordered Hector Berlioz Complete Orchestral Works (Box Set) in a 6-CD set by Sir Colin Davis because orchestral is what I like best. That was in 2002. Now I have ordered The Berlioz Edition (Box Set)in a 24-CD Box Set by Sir Colin Davis because I like what I have heard of Berlioz by Davis. I will put this up for sale, and if it doesn't go I will consider putting The Berlioz Edition up for sale after I have heard it. As I said I am in a Box with Berlioz Box Sets and can't afford both.

A superb set, well worth the price!.......2002-08-16

For those of us who grew up in the 1950s and '60s, the music of Berlioz means Munch and Toscanini: Munch for his incendiary performances of "Symphonie Fantastique," "Romeo et Juliette," "Damnation of Faust," the Requiem and the overtures (among others), Toscanini primarily for his gorgeous reading of "Harold in Italy" but also for his versions of the Roman Carnival Overture and (for those who could find it) the "Romeo" with Gladys Swarthout. These readings had one thing going for them, which was a rhythmic impetus that made even the slow movements exciting. Unfortunately, for those of us who read scores, when we checked these versions against the music we found that Toscanini and Munch had fiddled a bit with tempi and bowing accents in an attempt to make the music more exciting. Is this so bad? Not necessarily, because these conductors had this music in their blood, they were presenting Berlioz as they had processed him over a lifetime of love, and so their fast tempi had little in common with the rattly, jangly readings often turned out by John Eliot Gardiner.

Sir Colin Davis was, and of this reading remains, the greatest Berlioz interpreter of the stereo/digital era. This is no mean feat when one realizes that he now has several competitors in the field, among them James Levine and Charles Dutoit, but in my view only the wonderful John Nelson (whose recordings of the Te Deum and "Nuits d'Ete" with Susan Graham are so wonderful) really comes close. And what makes Davis so great is that, like those legendary conductors of old, he really gets under the skin of Berlioz and makes him exciting while maintaining score tempi. Listen, for instance, to his "Symphonie Fantastique," still the benchmark modern recording after nearly 30 years. Davis also excels in his readings of the Overtures, music from "Les Troyens," and the Symphonie Funebre et Triomphale which grabs the listener and pulls him/her into its vortex of sound.

In the other two symphonies, "Harold in Italy" and "Romeo et Juliette," I sense a lapse of sorts: the slow music is conducted not necessarily too slowly, but with a certain Romantic mushiness bordering on easy listening. This, for me, robs the "Romeo alone" and "Scene d'amour" of its passion, though of course it is wonderful to hear the score in modern stereo instead of Munch's cramped mono, and for me Toscanini's second movement of "Harold," with its peculiar yet engaging walking gait, shall never be surpassed--and, unlike Munch, Toscanini somewhat transcended his mono sound because of the wonderful clarity and transparency of his orchestra. Nevertheless, if I were forced to I would live with this Davis set over my Munch and Toscanini recordings because of their overall warmth and excellent sound.

Other highlights include excerpts from "Lelio" sung superbly by pre-leukemia Jose Carreras (listen to him ascend fearlessly to those high notes--he hasn't done that in nearly a quarter-century!), dramatically astute singing by Patricia Kerns and John Shirley-Quirk in "Romeo," and marvelous interpretations of the Overtures (oh, and you can forget "Rob Roy"...Berlioz decided after one performance that he would never publish it or even bother revising it, hence it is not here). I do question the omission of the Requiem and Te Deum (after all, they ARE "orchestral works"), but with so many riches at such a low price, who cares? Liner notes are sparse, and this is a slimline box which means paper sleeves and no jewel boxes, but so what? For this much Berlioz, so beautifully sung and conducted, the composer himself would gladly have plunked down ...

all the overtures *NOT*.......2001-05-04

This isn't a "complete" recording of Berlioz' orchestral music - what about the 'Rob Roy' overture? Granted it recycles some of Harold in Italy, but still...

A wonderful collection of Berlioz.......2000-08-15

This incredible six CD set features all of Hector Berlioz's purely orchestral music conducted by the great Sir Colin Davis, widely regarded as one of the greatest living Berlioz interpreters. In addition to favorites such as Symphonie fantastique, Harold en Italie and Romeo et Juliette, the set also includes the lesser known Lelio and several other works. The works were recorded between 1965 and 1980, and the sound is wonderful and rich. His interpretations are also lively and full of energy, especially in the overtures.

Tracks:

Benvenuto Cellini, Op. 23: Overture
Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14: Scene In The Country
Gabrieli: Sacerdos et Pontifex
L'Enfance du Christ, Op. 25: Flight Into Egypt: Overture
Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14: A Ball
Harold In Italy, Op. 16: Scenes Of Joy And Sadness
Benvenuto Cellini, Op. 23: Overture
Harold In Italy, Op. 16: Serenade
Les Troyens: Trojan March (Complete)
Reverie And Caprice, Op. 8
Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14: Dreams, Passions
Lelio, Or The Return To Life, Op. 14b
Harold In Italy, Op. 16: Scenes Of Joy
Roman Carnival Overture, Op. 9
Reverie And Caprice, Op. 8
Damnation Of Faust, Op. 24: Hungarian March
L'Enfance du Christ, Op. 25: Rest Of The Holy Family
L'Enfance du Christ, Op. 25: Flight Into Egypt, Dance
Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14: March To The Scaffold
Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14: I. Dreams, Passions
Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14: II. A Ball
Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14: IV. March To The Scaffold
Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14: V. Dream Of A Witches' Sabbath

Average customer rating:

a voice teacher and early music fan
A generally good Berlioz collection
Power and passion from Berlioz

Berlioz: Great Orchestral Works

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Liszt: Works for Piano and Orchestra
Schostakowitsch: Symphonie No. 10 in E Minor, Op. 93
Schumann: Op. Nos. 44 & 47
Tchaikovsky: Symphonies 1-3
Elgar: Cello Concerto; Sea Pictures; Cockaigne Overture

ASIN: B00000419B
Release Date: 1994-05-10

Tracks:

Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14: 1. Reveries - Passions (Largo - Allegro agitato e appassionato assai)
Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14: 2. Un bal (Valse. Allegro non troppo)
Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14: 3. Scene aux champs (Adagio)
Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14: 4. Marche au supplice (Allegreto non troppo)
Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14: 5. Songe d'une nuit de sabbat (Larghetto - Allegro - Ronde du sabbat: Poco meno mosso)
Le carnaval romain, Op. 9: Overture
Le corsaire, Op. 21: Overture

Tracks:

Harold en Italie, Op. 16: 1. Harold aux montagnes (Adagio - Allegro)
Harold en Italie, Op. 16: 1. Harold aux montagnes (Adagio - Allegro)
Harold en Italie, Op. 16: 2. Marche des pelerins chantant la priere du soir (Allegretto)
Harold en Italie, Op. 16: 3. Serenade d'un montagnard des Abruzzes a sa maitresse (Allegro assai - Allegretto)
Harold en Italie, Op. 16: 4. Orgie des brigands, finale (Allegro frenetico - Adagio - Allegro. Tempo I)
Symphonie funebre et triomphale, Op. 15: 1. Marche funebre (Moderato un poco lento)
Symphonie funebre et triomphale, Op. 15: 2. Oraison funebre (Adagio non tanto - Andantino un poco lento e sostenuto)
Symphonie funebre et triomphale, Op. 15: 3. Apotheose (Allegro non troppo e pomposo)

Customer Reviews:

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2007-03-17

Hector Berlioz (1803-1869)belonged to no school, and resists categorization more fiercely, perhaps, than any other composer. The originality and vitalilty of his ideas demanded novel means of expression which affected the fundamental elements of musical language. The language he forged depended to an unusual extent upon the subject-matter of his works, all of which are related to a dramatic or poetic theme. This theme determines the manner of each work, so that there is no clearly defined development from an early period, through the middle of his career, to a later style; his works never repeat the inventions, harmonic and melodic or formal, of their predecessors.
The 'Symphonie fantastique' blazed new paths, filling the ear with novel combinations to a degree hardly experienced again. The symphony is nowhere operatic, but it is dramatic, and the high points of the drama are embodied in expressive instrumental music; the program, integral to the conception, acts, Berlioz said,like the spoken dialogue in an opera,in that it provides the motivation and explains and justifies the mood of the successive movements.
His second symphony, 'Harold en Italie', was begun at the request of Paganini, who wanted a piece for viola, but then rejected the drafts of Berlioz, who promptly converted the work into a symphony with viola solo. Searching for a subject, he considered a plan for a work on the death of Mary Queen of Scots. He then adopted a title referring to Byron's wandering hero (Childe Harold) and created a loose sequence of scenes in the figure of the lonely wanderer(represented by the viola) is set in contexts reminiscent of his own experience in Italy. This symphony is a picturesque work,whereas the 'Fantastique' is dramatic.
Berlioz was given a commission in 1840, by the newly formed French government for his 'Symphonie funebre et triomphale'. He wrote it for wind, with optional strings and chorus. The style of the work recalls the open-air ceremonials of the previous Revolution, when music was used at open-air gatherings of national prayer and praise.
The selections on these 2 discs cover the years from 1963 to 1975,although this compilation dates 1994. The performance of these selections are all basically outstanding because the variance of orchestral colour demanded by the very expressive music of Berlioz is present at all times, although some of the tempos run a bit on the slow side especially in the 'Symphonie fantastique'. However, I continued to be impressed by the instrumental expertise, especially in the solo 'spots', of which there were many. The 3rd movement of the 'Symphonie funebre' featuring the John Aldis Choir was exciting to hear, and I wish in the liner notes that they had included the words because they are not really audible on the recording. The violist in 'Harold in Italie' Nobuko Imai was skilled and in tune most of the time. All in all, for lovers of Berlioz, this is a good collection.

A generally good Berlioz collection.......2005-08-19

This recording is good generally, but the Symphonie fantastique really disappoints. The recording would be great if the LSO sound more 'fantastique'(you will konw what I'm talking about if you listen to the Concertgebouw/Davis recording by DECCA). Despite the disappointing Symphonie fantastique, I still like Colin Davis' "Harold in Italy" and the overtures, his poetry-like expressions and passion is perfectly suitable for Berlioz.

However, taking its price into consideration, I would not hesitate to reccomend this recording to those who want to try Berlioz.

Power and passion from Berlioz.......1998-11-12

This 2-disc set gives a wonderful selection of the orchestral works of Hector Berlioz. Of the five pieces included, I most enjoyed the "Symphonie Fantastique" and the "Symphonie Funebre et Triomphale." The power of Berlioz is beautifully expressed by the London Symphony Orchestra; one can feel the musical power, not just hear it. A wonderful collection of truly passionate music.

Berlioz: Harold in Italy Op16; Mort de Cléopâtre, scène lyrique

Average customer rating:

Classic Berlioz readings, but there are drawbacks
Berlioz: Harold In Italy

Berlioz: Harold in Italy Op16; Mort de Cléopâtre, scène lyrique
Hector Berlioz , Leonard Bernstein , Jennie Tourel , and William Lincer
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Berlioz: Harold en Italie

ASIN: B00000I0W1
Release Date: 1999-02-16

Tracks:

Harold In Italy, Op. 16: I. Harold In The Mountains
Harold In Italy, Op. 16: II. March Of The Pilgrims
Harold In Italy, Op. 16: III. Serenade
Harold In Italy, Op. 16: IV. Orgy Of The Brigands
La Mort De Cleopatre, Scene lyrique: Allegro vivace con impeto
La Mort De Cleopatre, Scene lyrique: Recitativo: 'C'en est donc fait!'
La Mort De Cleopatre, Scene lyrique: 'Ah! qu'ils sont loin ces jours'
La Mort De Cleopatre, Scene lyrique: Recitative: 'Au comble des revers'
La Mort De Cleopatre, Scene lyrique: 'Grands Pharaons'
La Mort De Cleopatre, Scene lyrique: 'Non ! non, de vos demeures'
La Mort De Cleopatre, Scene lyrique: Recitativo misurato: 'Dieux du Nil'

Customer Reviews:

Classic Berlioz readings, but there are drawbacks.......2006-11-14

The reviewer below is wild with enthusiasm for this 1962 Harold in Italy from Bernstein but doesn't seem to realize that La Mort de Cleopatre is also by the same composer, or that Bernstein's 1961 recording with his great friend--and great artist--Jennie Tourel is actually more outstanding. Except for Janet Baker on EMI, no one has approached Tourel in her involvement and commitment. Bernstein follows suit, and the result (which Sony previously paired with the Berlioz Requiem) is a joy.

As for the Harold, William Lincer, the NY Phil's first viola, doesn't have a virtuoso's temperament, and his playing tends to be bland. Too bad, since Bernstein is in very good form. In a way it doesn't matter much that the sonics are a drawback--sharp and edgy throughout, with almost no depth--because Bernstein recorded Harold again on EMI with French forces that, if anything, do an even better job. Unfortunately, he didn't get a first-rate violist the second time around, either, so I can't give more than four stars to the early or later performance.

Berlioz: Harold In Italy.......2000-01-03

FINALLY...it's on CD! This is the immortal version of the ultimate symphony. Although not specifically credited, this is the 1962 version that formerly appeared on LP as Columbia Masterworks ms 6358 (stereo)...I personally wore out three copies before it went out of print. I then tried other versions on CDs but found them a poor substitute. "La Mort De Clopatre," which is some kind of operatic work I'm not familiar with, seems aimed at a different audience; but the CD is easily worth three times the price for the Berlioz alone so I can't complain about extras. The recording itself sounds better than the LP ever did, even with a moving coil cartridge, and the mellow tones of Bill Lincer's 400 year old Amati viola are faithfully reproduced. "Harold In Italy" has all the romanticism of Dvorak and Tchaikovsky plus the mathematical precision of Beethoven. This IS the best classical recording EVER MADE! BUY IT!

Average customer rating:

A sweet, flowing account of Harold with lovely lyricism
Best Harold en Italie courtesy of Davis, etc.

Berlioz: Harold en Italie

Manufacturer: Lso Live UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00009YWAH
Release Date: 2003-08-12

Amazon.com

Colin Davis is arguably the finest Berlioz conductor in the world; both of his recordings of Les Troyens are magnificent and elsewhere he's rarely bettered. His winning streak continues with this live performance with the LSO of Harold in Italy and the ballet music from Troyens. Tabea Zimmermann's solo viola is as grand, brilliantly flavorful, and picturesque as the LSO's playing; and the entire performance--swift and rhythmically propulsive--is simply fantastic. The introspective moments--listen to the way the air positively shimmers at the "canto religioso"--are as effective as the big moments, and the huge finale is truly wild without ever lapsing into anarchy. This is controlled but lusty playing helped by the crisp recording--even the brass, playing with abandon, doesn't drown out the highest strings or piccolo. The Troyens music should probably have been a curtain raiser rather than an encore, but it's handsomely played and a nice, exotic touch. If you'd like, you can throw out your other recordings of Harold--this one is all you need. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

A sweet, flowing account of Harold with lovely lyricism.......2006-11-14

Every word of the Amazon reviewer's rave sounds convincing--he's echoing the general rapture that greeted this live LSO recording in the UK--so I hoped that reality would match the advance hype. In some wys it does. The London Sym. plays with real delicacy and finesse throghout, and Davis's feeling for Berlioz's lyric line is both natural and touching. Also, Tadea Zimmermann is that rare soloist who can keep the viola from sounding stodgy and lachrymose. She's far from sounding lusty, as the Amazon reviewer claims, but is instead sweet and lively, both highly desirable qualities. On those accounts alone, this is a very fine reading of Harold in Italy.

Is it the ne plus ultra? Well, we have two classic recordings from the great William Primrose under Beecham and Koussevitzky, both of which are livelier and more volatile than this one, but of course they are in dated mono. In stereo there's Davis himself in his younger years, along with a vibrant recording under John Eliot Gardiner, both on Philips. For volatility no one beats Bernstein in an almost raucous performance on EMI. I think you could call the new Davis reading pre-eminent only if you prefer its lilting rhythms and flowing contours. If so, then his relative coolness and control in the finale will seem fine. Highly recommended.

Best Harold en Italie courtesy of Davis, etc........2004-04-28

Sir Colin Davis still remains our finest interpreter of Berlioz. His latest release on LSO Live, featuring the talents of not only the London Symphony Orchestra but also violist Tabea Zimmerman, is quite simply the finest recording of Harold en Italie I've heard. This is a grand, lively interpretation replete with Zimmerman's exquisite viola solos and fiery playing from the LSO's woodwinds and horns, especially in the last movement. The only recording I've heard which comes close to this in quality is an old Lorin Maazel Deutsche Grammophon recording with him conducting the Berlin Philharmonic. However, the London Symphony Orchestra's playing is warmer and more vibrant than their peers in Berlin. Without question this latest recording should be regarded as the definitive version of Berlioz's Harold en Italie.

Berlioz: Damnation of Faust, Harold En Italie

Average customer rating:

First choice for a classic "French" Faust
Once More, Magnificent Markevitch

Berlioz: Damnation of Faust, Harold En Italie
Rubio , Verrau , Roux , Mollet , Markevitch , and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
ASIN: B00006L76O
Release Date: 2002-10-23

Tracks:

Sce 1. "Le Vieil Hiver A Fait Place Au Printemps"
Ronde Des Paysans. "Les Bergers Quittent" - Sce 2. "Mais D'un lat Guerrier"
Marche Hongroise
Sce 3. "Sans Regrets J'ai QuittLes Riantes Campagnes"
Chant De La Fe De Pues. "Christ Vient De Ressusciter!"
Sce 4. "O Pure otion!"
Sce 5. Choeur De Buveurs. "A Boire Encor!"
Chanson De Brander. "Certain Rat, Dans Une Cuisine"
Fugue Sur Le The De La Chanson. "Amen"
Chanson De Mhistoph. "Une Puce Gentille"
Sce 6. Air De Mhistoph. "Voici Des Roses"
Songe De Faust. "Dors! Heureux Faust"
Ballet Des Sylphes
Choeurs De Soldats Et Chanson D'etudiants. "Villes Entours" - "Jam Nox Stellat
(Prude: La Retraite)
"Merci, Doux Cruscule!" - "Je L'entends!" (Faust / Mhistoph, Faust)
Sce 10. "Que L'air Est ouffant"
Le Roi De Thul(Chanson Gothique). "Autrefois Un Roi De Thul
Sce 11. Evocation. "Esprits Des Flammes Inconstantes"
Menuet Des Follets - Sce 12. "Maintenant Chantons Cette Belle"
Sade De Mhistoph. "Devant La Maison"
Sce 13. "Grands Dieux!"
Sce 14. "Allons, Il Est Trop Tard!" - "Je Connais Donc Enfin"
Sce 15. Romance. "D'amour L'ardente Flamme"
"Au Son Des Trompettes"
Sce 16. Invocation La Nature. "Nature Immense"
Sce 17. Ritatif Et Chasse. "A La Voe Azur"
Sce 18. La Course L'abe. "Dans Mon Choeur Retentit Sa Voix"
Sce 19. Pandaemonium. "Has! Irimiru Karabrao!" - "Tradioun Marexil"
Sce 21. Le Ciel. "Laus! Laus!" - Apothse De Marguerite. "Remonte Au Ciel,
Harold En Italie, Op.16 - Harold Aux Montagnes (Adagio - Allegro)
Harold En Italie, Op.16 - Marche Des Perins (Allegretto)
Harold En Italie, Op.16 - Sade (Allegro Assai - Allegretto)
Harold En Italie, Op.16 - Orgie De Brigands (Allegro Frenetico - Adagio - Allegr

Customer Reviews:

First choice for a classic "French" Faust.......2006-01-12

I'm thrilled that this exciting, totally idiomatic Damnation of Faust is back. (Amazon doesn't seem to carry the latest pressing, in DG's Originals series, but it's probably worth making sure you get the improved digital remastering.) From the first note of tenor Richard Verreau, one can be secure that perfect French diction is at hand and relish his tangy, nasal Gallic tone, which suffuses solists, chorus, and the Lamoureux orchestra. This isn't the only way to perform Berlioz, but given how homogenized most accounts of Faust are--the excellent Solti set from Chicago (Decca) is as American as, well, Chicago--we are fortunate to have Markevitch's performance as well as Myung-Whun Chung's, also from Paris on DG.

None of this would ocunt for much if Markevitch weren't such a superb Berlioz conductor. Russian as he was, he spent his formative years in the Parisian musical avant-garde and then emerged in the Fifties as the equal to Munch in drama and fervor as a Berliozan (and was far superior in discipline). Has anyone ever scorched through the Rakoczy March like this? None of thee vocal soloists, who include Consuelo Rubio as Marguerite and Michel Roux as the slyest Mephistopheloes, were international stars, but they blend perfectly into this production. In all, a classic reading by a conductor to the manner born.

Once More, Magnificent Markevitch.......2005-11-16

Despite his relatively modest output, Berlioz has always been one of my favorite composers, and his Symphonie Fantastique one of my all time favorite works. For years I have enjoyed Markevitch's recording of the Fantastique with the Orchestre des Concerts Lamoureux, and more recently his earlier (and better) mono account with the Berlin Philharmonic (see my review), so selecting his reading of "La Damnation de Faust" seemed to be a no-brainer. Generally, I'm not a huge fan of choral works but both Faust and "Romeo & Juliet" are significant enough compositions for any classical music devotee to own at least one copy. Markevitch's recording of "La Damnation de Faust" was made in 1959, again with Lamoureux, in glorious DG golden-age stereo sound. It is a first rate performance, but the real treat for me was the 1955 Harold in Italy, with Heinz Kirchner as viola soloist. This recording was obviously made by Markevtich with the Berliners as a follow-up to the highly successful aforementioned Fantastique, yielding once more triumphant results despite the mono sound. In all this 2CD set offers breathtaking Berlioz at a refreshingly inexpensive price for an import title.

Average customer rating:

Berlioz Edition (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Te Deum | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Franz Schubert: The Complete Songs
Vivaldi: The Masterworks (Box Set)
Mendelssohn: The Masterworks [Box Set]
Strauss: Orchestral Works
Handel: The Masterworks (Box Set)

ASIN: B000093OSH
Release Date: 2003-12-16

Amazon.com

Sir Colin Davis has long been considered the world's finest Berlioz conductor, and over the years, Philips has released all of the composer's major works with Davis at the helm. Now, they're all here, in a 24-CD box, and it is an astonishing achievement. This treasure trove consists of the definitive, available readings of Les Troyens, Béatrice et Bénédict, and Benvenuto Cellini; a wonderfully energetic, passionate Roméo et Juliette; a Te Deum which is huge yet clear and not over-the-top for its own sake; Les Nuits d'été with different singers (of varying ranges in different songs), as Berlioz wanted them performed; the young Dame Janet Baker superb in Herminie and La Mort de Cléopatre; a relaxed, sweet Enfance du Christ; a Requiem which could knock you over; a Damnation de Faust which is both lyrical and exciting; a performance of Lélio which almost makes sense of that strange work; a Symphonie Fantastiquewith atmosphere and thrills; along with 7 overtures, 5 songs, and more. In addition to the moderate price, the packaging is such that the 24 CDs takes up less space than just the earlier releases of Cellini and Troyens together. This is one-stop shopping at its best. --Robert Levine

Average customer rating:

A tempting treasury, but only a few performances are great
Berlioz with immaginative variety

The Berlioz Experience

Manufacturer: Umvd Labels
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Te Deum | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Shostakovich: Concertos; Orchestral Suites; Chamber Symphonies
Grieg: Complete Music with Orchestra
Bruckner: The Nine Symphonies; Helgoland
Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies; 7 Overtures
Brahms: Complete String Quartets, Quintets & Sextets

ASIN: B00008RWRJ
Release Date: 2003-10-14

Customer Reviews:

A tempting treasury, but only a few performances are great.......2007-02-03

Ten discs of Berlioz is a sumptuous offering, and temptingly cheap at Amazon Marketplace. DG has used this occasion to repackage some outstanding performances. At the top of the list goes James Levine's electrifying Requiem from Berlin, with playing and singing to match the conductor's inspiration. Also exciting--perhaps surprisingly so--is Abbado's Te Deum, which has rawer edges and sharper focus than Colin Davis's on Philips, long the standard version.

Dropping down a notch in quality, we have an elegantly played Romeo et Juliette by the Boston Symphony, superbly recorded, that has few rivals for refined virtuosity. But after a while Seiji Ozawa's approach seems to lack depth and meaning; he's skating over the surface of the musical drama, however brilliantly. Sharp and brilliant also describes Myung-Whun Chung's contribution, a Symponie fantastique, two overtures, and the Royal Hunt and Storm from Les Troyens, all with his well-trained Bastille Opera orchestra. Chung is to the manner born in Berlioz, but so are greater conductors in these works, including Munch and Markevitch.

At about the same quality level I'd place the Mort de Cleopatre, a dullish early vocal scene sung with plushness by Jessye Norman, and Kiri Te Kanawa's Les Nuits d'Ete, which is ravishing in terms of sheer vocalism but otherwise vacant. Daniel Barenboim's slack conducting does the piece no favors, either, which holds true on a much larger scale for his Damnation of Faust. This is a typical Barenboim product, full of lush sounds, excellent singing, big-scale orchestral work, but leading to a meager artistic payoff. Barenboim's Faust isn't remotely competitive with Markevitch, Chung, Solti, Pretre, and others in this work. It's great to hear Domingo in the title role, but the conducting is so routine that I'm not sure the overall experience is worth it.

We get odds and ends of varying quality: the rarely recorded Tristia done superbly by Boulez, an uneven batch of songs that previously appeared in their own double-CD set (a chore to listen to in its entirety, despite the occasional gem), and a pedestrain Harold in Italy conducted by Lorin Maazel in Berlin, a performance that DG surely could have bettered by looking deeper into their vaults.

In all, I can't see investing in such an uneven collection except at super-budget price. If you do a little searching, all the best things here can be gotten separately, and the lesser recordings pale by comparison with classic Berlioz from Colin Davis, Charles Munch, and Igor Markevitch.

Berlioz with immaginative variety.......2003-10-30

This box makes a nice alternative to the Philips boxes under Colin Davis. Not to take anything away from Davis. His Berlioz cycle certainly ranks up there with the elite for recording achievements. But many will not want to invest in all 3 boxes, so Universal has brought us a great compilation of some of Berlioz' best works from a variety of performers with different styles.
The jewel has to be Ozawa's unsurpassed Romeo and Juliet. This 1976 studio recording had its birth at the Tanglewood Festival and features excellent soloists (Julia Hamari, Jose Van Dam, and Jean Dupouy), a very competent choir, and of course the reliable Boston SO. The recording is of outstanding quality. It seems cleaned up a little from what I remember of the CDs from the mid 80s; much more spacious, less muddy sounding. I especially like the chorus in the hushed night scene.
Barenboim's Damnaton is perdictably Furtwangler-like in tempo, and again features top notch singers in Fischer Dieskau, Jules Bastin, & Placido Domingo; Yvonne Minto is probably not in the same class with the others, but she's more than acceptable.
Levine directs a well recorded and balanced classical-sounding Requiem, and Abbado is more than competent in the Te Deum.
Chung's Fantastique is fun and enjoyable, if not first-class.
The rest of the works are very commendable, if not top-of-the-class.
In short, you can't go wrong for the price, and if you love Berlioz' Romeo, you've got to get this box just for the Ozawa gem.

Average customer rating:

Historic performances, but historic sound, too
Thrilling performances in generally vivid sound.
Thrilling performances in generally vivid sound.

Beecham
Hector Berlioz , Sir Thomas Beecham , and Frederick Riddle
Manufacturer: BBC Legends
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005A3MI
Release Date: 2001-04-24

Tracks:

Ov 'The Corsair', Op.21: Allegro Assai - Adagio Sostenuto - Tempo I - RPO/Sir Thomas Beecham
Grand Ov 'King Lear', Op.4: Andante Non Troppo Lento, Ma Maestoso - Allegro, Disperato Ed Agitato... - BBC SO/Sir Thomas Beecham
Harold In Italy, Op.16: I. Harold In The Mountains. Scenes Of Sadness, Of...
Harold In Italy, Op.16: II. March Of The Pilgrims, Singing Their Evening...
Harold In Italy, Op.16: III. Ser Of A Mountaineer Of The Abruzzi To His...
Harold In Italy, Op.16: IV. Orgy Of The Brigands. Memories Of Former Scenes...
Marche Troyenne: Allegro Ma Non Troppo E Pomposo - RPO/Sir Thomas Beecham

Customer Reviews:

Historic performances, but historic sound, too.......2006-03-15

The reviewer below who calls this good sound must be listening to records through a paper cup. These BBC broadcasts from 1951-56 feature a deceont-sounding Harold in Italy from an Edinbrugh Festival concert (annoyingly full of coughs), but even here the solo viola sounds whiny and dim, and the other items are in dreadful sound that is boxy and shrill. After releasing several better-sounding concerts from Beecham, BBC Legends bowed to public demand for his live Berlioz. But these performances don't justify the sonic cost. Violist Frederic Riddle can be painfully out of tune, and although Beecham's orchestral reading of Harold in Italy is exuberant, we have a classic studio recording from him with William Primrose. In fact, this whole CD duplicates material that is either better performed by Beecham or better sounding, so I can't drum up much enthusiasm for it unless you are a die-hard fan.

Thrilling performances in generally vivid sound........2002-10-22

Anyone who has clicked onto this item will already be familiar with the career and reputation of the great English conductor Sir Thomas Beecham. Complementing an extremely busy performing schedule, he clocked up a discography that possibly "created a record" amongst conductors. Those who experienced his "live" as distinct from his "recorded" work always claimed that there was even more magic, more fire, and a suppler moulding of phrasing in the latter. This claim can now be widely tested as more and more broadcasts of "live" performances are exhumed from the BBC archives.

This splendid issue allows you to hear him conducting Berlioz at concerts given between 1951 and 1956. Like the writer of the excellent booklet, Graham Meville-Mason, I was present at one of these concerts. As a very young man, I was fascinated to see how the trombone players coped with the slides on their instruments at the sizzling pace with which Beecham directed the final section of the overture "Le Corsair".

"So what is the sound quality like, and how do these performances compare with Beecham's studio recordings of these works?" I hear you ask. I can report that the sound quality ranges from good to outstanding. All credit to the original radio engineers, and those responsible for the remastering! The timpani might be a little too obtrusive in "Le Corsair" and the overall sound a little "dry" in the "Marche troyenne", but there are no other defects. Indeed, the sound quality of the string playing (always reputed to be unique in a Beecham orchestra) is beautifully realized. Yes, there are audience coughs to be heard here and there. Somehow, they too sound so realistic and well recorded that a sense of an actual performance is enhanced.

"Harold en Italie" poses problems in recording a live performance. There are long passages requiring the solo viola player to provide soft broken chords to accompany wind soloists from the orchestra, and microphoning tends to give undue prominence to the viola. This problem has been better solved here than it was in a studio recording Beecham directed in 1951, five years before the broadcast performance found here.

Thrilling performances in generally vivid sound........2002-10-22

Tracks:

Berlioz: Harold In Italy, Op. 16: I. Harold In The Mountains
Berlioz: Harold In Italy, Op. 16: II. March Of The Pilgrims
Berlioz: Harold In Italy, Op. 16: III. Serenade
Berlioz: Harold In Italy, Op. 16: IV. Orgy Of The Brigands
Bax: Son: I. Allegro Moderato - William Primrose/Harriet Cohen
Bax: Son: II. Allegro Energico Ma Non Troppo Presto - William Primrose/Harriet Cohen W
Bax: Son: III. Molto Lento - William Primrose/Harriet Cohen

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