Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, Op.14/Lélio, Op.14

On this CD:

1. Symphonie fantastique for orchestra ("Episode de la vie d'un Artiste...en cinq parties"), H.48 (Op. 14)
Composed by Hector Berlioz
Performed by Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Eliahu Inbal

2. Lélio, ou Le retour à la vie, for 2 sopranos, alto, 3 tenors, 3 basses, chorus & orchestra ("monodrame lyrique"), H. 55 (Op. 14bis) Dieu! Je Vis Encore...
Composed by Hector Berlioz
Performed by Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra / Frankfurt Kantorei with Walton Gronroos, Keith Lewis
Conducted by Eliahu Inbal

3. Lélio, ou Le retour à la vie, for 2 sopranos, alto, 3 tenors, 3 basses, chorus & orchestra ("monodrame lyrique"), H. 55 (Op. 14bis) Le Pêcheur, Ballade de Goethe
Composed by Hector Berlioz
Performed by Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra / Frankfurt Kantorei with Walton Gronroos, Keith Lewis
Conducted by Eliahu Inbal

4. Lélio, ou Le retour à la vie, for 2 sopranos, alto, 3 tenors, 3 basses, chorus & orchestra ("monodrame lyrique"), H. 55 (Op. 14bis) Etrange Persistance d'un Souvenir
Composed by Hector Berlioz
Performed by Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra / Frankfurt Kantorei with Walton Gronroos, Keith Lewis
Conducted by Eliahu Inbal

5. Lélio, ou Le retour à la vie, for 2 sopranos, alto, 3 tenors, 3 basses, chorus & orchestra ("monodrame lyrique"), H. 55 (Op. 14bis) No 2, Choeur D'Ombres
Composed by Hector Berlioz
Performed by Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra / Frankfurt Kantorei with Walton Gronroos, Keith Lewis
Conducted by Eliahu Inbal

6. Lélio, ou Le retour à la vie, for 2 sopranos, alto, 3 tenors, 3 basses, chorus & orchestra ("monodrame lyrique"), H. 55 (Op. 14bis) O Shakespeare! Shakespeare!
Composed by Hector Berlioz
Performed by Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra / Frankfurt Kantorei with Walton Gronroos, Keith Lewis
Conducted by Eliahu Inbal

7. Lélio, ou Le retour à la vie, for 2 sopranos, alto, 3 tenors, 3 basses, chorus & orchestra ("monodrame lyrique"), H. 55 (Op. 14bis) No 3, Chanson de Brigands
Composed by Hector Berlioz
Performed by Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra / Frankfurt Kantorei with Walton Gronroos, Keith Lewis
Conducted by Eliahu Inbal

8. Lélio, ou Le retour à la vie, for 2 sopranos, alto, 3 tenors, 3 basses, chorus & orchestra ("monodrame lyrique"), H. 55 (Op. 14bis) Comme Mon Espirit Glotte Incertain!
Composed by Hector Berlioz
Performed by Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra / Frankfurt Kantorei with Walton Gronroos, Keith Lewis
Conducted by Eliahu Inbal

9. Lélio, ou Le retour à la vie, for 2 sopranos, alto, 3 tenors, 3 basses, chorus & orchestra ("monodrame lyrique"), H. 55 (Op. 14bis) No 4, Chant De Bonheur
Composed by Hector Berlioz
Performed by Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra / Frankfurt Kantorei with Walton Gronroos, Keith Lewis
Conducted by Eliahu Inbal

10. Lélio, ou Le retour à la vie, for 2 sopranos, alto, 3 tenors, 3 basses, chorus & orchestra ("monodrame lyrique"), H. 55 (Op. 14bis) Oh! Que Ne Puis Je La Trouver...
Composed by Hector Berlioz
Performed by Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra / Frankfurt Kantorei with Walton Gronroos, Keith Lewis
Conducted by Eliahu Inbal

11. Lélio, ou Le retour à la vie, for 2 sopranos, alto, 3 tenors, 3 basses, chorus & orchestra ("monodrame lyrique"), H. 55 (Op. 14bis) No 5, La Harpe Eolienne Souvenirs
Composed by Hector Berlioz
Performed by Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra / Frankfurt Kantorei with Walton Gronroos, Keith Lewis
Conducted by Eliahu Inbal

12. Lélio, ou Le retour à la vie, for 2 sopranos, alto, 3 tenors, 3 basses, chorus & orchestra ("monodrame lyrique"), H. 55 (Op. 14bis) Mais Pourquoi M'Abandonner a ces Dangereuses Illu
Composed by Hector Berlioz
Performed by Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra / Frankfurt Kantorei with Walton Gronroos, Keith Lewis
Conducted by Eliahu Inbal

13. Lélio, ou Le retour à la vie, for 2 sopranos, alto, 3 tenors, 3 basses, chorus & orchestra ("monodrame lyrique"), H. 55 (Op. 14bis) No 6, Fantaisie Sur la Tempête De Shakespeare
Composed by Hector Berlioz
Performed by Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra / Frankfurt Kantorei with Walton Gronroos, Keith Lewis
Conducted by Eliahu Inbal

14. Lélio, ou Le retour à la vie, for 2 sopranos, alto, 3 tenors, 3 basses, chorus & orchestra ("monodrame lyrique"), H. 55 (Op. 14bis) Assez Pour Aujourd'hui!
Composed by Hector Berlioz
Performed by Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra / Frankfurt Kantorei with Walton Gronroos, Keith Lewis
Conducted by Eliahu Inbal

15. Lélio, ou Le retour à la vie, for 2 sopranos, alto, 3 tenors, 3 basses, chorus & orchestra ("monodrame lyrique"), H. 55 (Op. 14bis) Allegro Meno Mosso
Composed by Hector Berlioz
Performed by Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra / Frankfurt Kantorei with Walton Gronroos, Keith Lewis
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:

The main attraction for me is the gorgeous sound
Fantastique by Thomas and SFS is Fantastic!
Fantastic Berlioz

Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0002DD5TS
Release Date: 2004-07-13

Tracks:

Reveries - Passions
Un Bal
Scene Aux Champs
Marche Au Supplice
Songe D'une Nuit Du Sabbat
Choeur Des Ombres
Fantaisie Sur La Tempete De Shakespeare

Customer Reviews:

The main attraction for me is the gorgeous sound.......2006-06-26

The Gramohone gave an outright pan to this performance, ending with this comment: "One is tempted to wonder why, if Tilson Thomas can lay out the score so clearly and accurately, he does not then go ahead and perform it." This is a bracing alternative to the rave that this CD has gotten on Amazon from David Hurwitz and several reviewers below. MTT's Fantastique is very detailed nd recorded quite beautifully, but he remains very literal throughout. There's no reverie in the first movement, no lilt in the waltz of the second movement, a dead tempo in the third movement, noterror in the ride to the scaffold, and so on.

There are superb readings of the Symphonie fantastique from, among ohters, Colin Davis, Leonard Bernstein, Charles Munch, Igor Markevitch (all with two each, except for Bernstein, with three), Pierre Monteux, Leopold Stokowski--I'll stop there. Tilson Thomas's version is better than any of them so far as pure sound goes--except perhaps for Munch's famous 1954 Living Stereo version--but there's not enough imagination compared to the greats.

The attraction for Berlioz collectors will be the rarely recorded sequel to the symphony, Lelio, a "return to life" by the poet who fell into a dream-trance and experienced the haunted visions of the symphony. Here, MTT and the San Francisco Sym. Chorus are bolder and more colorful than in the main event, although I'm not sure many buyers would purchase this recording just for the filler.

Fantastique by Thomas and SFS is Fantastic!.......2005-01-15

Thomas has done it again with a mighty fine recording of Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique. There's very little to say other than you have to hear it. It shares the top of the heap with Bernstein's most 'psychadelic' version and Munch's very fine most natural sounding (considering most of the players in Boston at the time were of the French school) version all with better sonics. This is first class playing from San Francisco in every movement and a very demonic (and excellently played) E-flat clarinet solo from Luis Baez in Dream of a Witches' Sabbath. Great sonics, great playing, and a very fair price, this adds up to a must own. Get it!

Fantastic Berlioz.......2004-10-27

This is the definitive recording of Berlioz's famed Symphonie Fantastic. Michael Tilson Thomas leads the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra brilliantly in his incisive reading of the work. Several aspects make this recording rise above the hundreds of other recordings of the work. First of all, MTT has the orchestral forces playing both with total conviction and total control. The sense of emotion is electrifying, yet, the orchestra remains in perfect control from piano to forte. The balance between the different sections of the orchestra is also perfect. Secondly, MTT's reading of the work is well thought out, logical, and quite convincing. Rather than over-conduct, MTT allows the music itself to unfold naturally. The performance is never forced, never rushed; rather, the work is allowed to develop. Thirdly, the quality of the recording is top-notch. The crystal clear digital sounds makes this already electrifying recording a must have.
MTT is not given the due credit he deserves. Too often, the SFSO is over-looked. But over the past decade MTT has been doing wonderful things with his orchestra. What we have now is a world-class orchestra that still plays with total conviction, heart, dedication, and total faith in its music director. MTT's current Mahler project with the orchestra has brought the conductor back into the spotlight, but the truth of the matter is, MTT was and is one of the leading conductors of today. I suggest listeners turn to some of his other recordings. His Romeo and Juliet and Mahler 7th (both on RCA) are fantastic, as are the resent Mahler recordings on the symphony's own label

Average customer rating:

Berlioz Edition (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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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

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, Lelio, Tristia

Average customer rating:

dutiots worst recording!
Reviewed in honor of Berlioz's 200th birthday

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, Lelio, Tristia
Hector Berlioz , Charles Dutoit , Lambert Wilson , Richard Clement , Choeur de l'Orchestre symphonique de Montréal , Orchestre symphonique de Montréal , Philippe Rouillon , Rolf Bertsch , and Jennifer Schwartz
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Hector Berlioz: Lélio oder Die Rückkehr ins Leben, Op. 14b (Lyrisches Monodram)
R. Strauss: Josephs Legende

ASIN: B00005N56S
Release Date: 2001-11-13

Tracks:

Symphonie fantastique, op. 14: Reveries
Symphonie fantastique, op. 14: Un bal
Symphonie fantastique, op. 14: Scene aux champs
Symphonie fantastique, op. 14: Marche au supplice
Symphonie fantastique, op. 14: Songe d'une nuit du sabbat

Tracks:

Lelio, ou Le Retour a la vie, op. 14b: Narration
Lelio, ou Le Retour a la vie, op. 14b: Le Pecheur
Lelio, ou Le Retour a la vie, op. 14b: Narration
Lelio, ou Le Retour a la vie, op. 14b: Choeur d'ombres
Lelio, ou Le Retour a la vie, op. 14b: Narration
Lelio, ou Le Retour a la vie, op. 14b: Chanson de brigands
Lelio, ou Le Retour a la vie, op. 14b: Narration
Lelio, ou Le Retour a la vie, op. 14b: Chant de bonheur/Hymne
Lelio, ou Le Retour a la vie, op. 14b: Narration
Lelio, ou Le Retour a la vie, op. 14b: La Harpe eolinne/Souvenirs
Lelio, ou Le Retour a la vie, op. 14b: Narration
Lelio, ou Le Retour a la vie, op. 14b: Fantaisie sur la Tempete de
Lelio, ou Le Retour a la vie, op. 14b: Narration and Coda
Tristia, op. 18: Meditation religieuse
Tristia, op. 18: La Mort d'Ophelie: Ballade
Tristia, op. 18: Marche funebre pour la derniere scene d'Hamlet

Amazon.com

Lélio is a strange work, a 50-minute piece for narrator, orchestra, chorus, and vocal soloists. Written as a sequel to the Symphonie Fantastique, it weaves in the idée fixe theme of that work, and its monologues exude the hyper-Romantic sensibility of the lone artist haunted by his fantasies. The narrator's text today reads (and sounds) pretty silly but without it, Lélio becomes a miscellaneous collection of short pieces, each worth hearing, as is anything by Berlioz, but not adding up to more than a repertory curiosity. Tristia consists of three short works published together in 1852, but written separately between 1831 and 1844. The middle piece, "La Mort d'Ophélie," is better known in its original version for voice and piano. Here, a later version for chorus and orchestra is used. Tristia closes with a funeral march illustrating the last scene of Hamlet. Disc One is given over to a reissue of Dutoit's 1985 release of the Symphonie Fantastique, a warm performance that lacks the fantasy of older favorites like Munch and Paray, but is less strait-laced than classically oriented versions such as Colin Davis's. Berlioz fans will want the set for the lesser-known works; others may want to hear them in company with Dutoit's decently done Fantastique. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

dutiots worst recording!.......2007-04-11

this is the only recording of all Dutiot/Montreal cds that i didnt care for to much,he goes about the symphony in a very straightforward manner witch is unlike his style.though the choral works he does fine but there not first rate works to me.i still think eugene ormandys/phil symphony version is one of the best around.

Reviewed in honor of Berlioz's 200th birthday.......2003-12-19

Fellow Amazon reviewer Bob Zeidler has recently reviewed a number of Berlioz releases in honor of Berlioz's 200th birthday. I decided, particularly since I noticed that there had been no reviews of this mid-priced 2CD set, to say something about this issue from Charles Dutoit and l'Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, along with their chorus. Amazon lists several different issues of the 'Fantastique'by Dutoit and the Montréal but I think (but am not sure) they are all repackagings of his 1985 recording. I could be wrong. In any event, this current twofer contains the 1985 Symphonie fantastique on Disc 1 and some Berlioz rarities on Disc 2.

The performance of the Symphonie is one of my favorites of the perhaps eight versions that I own. No one will replace Munch, Colin Davis, or even Riccardo Muti, but this one has merits of its own. For one thing it was recorded when the Montreál was at the height of its considerable powers, The orchestra SOUNDS French, the recorded sound is exemplary, and I admire Dutoit's ability not only to thrill and stir us, particularly in the 'Songe d'une nuit du sabbat' and the 'Marche au supplice,' but even to move us, not something that usually happens with these sections which are generally played for their rock'em sock'em effects. There is a nightmare quality that grabs me each time I listen to them. I think Dutoit catches the early Romantic psychology of the piece as well as anybody, and better than most.

The other pieces are not really top-drawer Berlioz, honestly, but I think Dutoit gives a good account of Lélio and of Tristia nonetheless. The narrated text of Lélio is--how can I be kind?--silly, but fortunately there are separate cuts so that one can program the narration out if one wishes, and I suspect you will wish to do so after perhaps one listen to it. This is not to say that actor Lambert Wilson doesn't do his creditable best, but still ...

Tristia has some exquisite choral passages and the concluding Funeral March is one of Berlioz's most masterful compositions. The performances are wonderful. I have no other recordings of Tristia and can't compare it with others, but it's hard to imagine any performance being much better.

Recommended.

Tracks:

Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14: Reveries-Passions
Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14: Un bal/ A Ball
Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14: Scene In The Country
Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14: March To The Scaffold
Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14: Dream Of A Witches' Sabbath
Lo Or The Return To Life, Op. 14bis: II. Chorus of the Shades
Lo Or The Return To Life, Op. 14bis: VI. Fantasia On Shakespear's 'The Tempest'

Amazon.com

No one expected it, but Thomas has given us the greatest Symphonie fantastique since Charles Munch's Boston Symphony recordings of the '50s and '60s. Granted, he's a fine conductor with an excellent reputation, but every conductor has his "specialties," and Thomas has always leaned towards the Russian Romantics. Berlioz is very difficult to do well: you have to respond to the almost neurotic emotional climate and orchestral brilliance with seeming abandon, while never letting the performance spin out of control. That's exactly what Thomas does. His traversal of the symphony is fanatically detailed, sensationally played and recorded, and, above all, focused. He knows exactly where the music is going, and what a pleasure it is to let your ears follow his lead! --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Lovely sounding recording, but the performance is neutral.......2006-06-26

Not inferior to classical musicians........2004-08-07

As a classical trombonist, I will go on record as saying the musicians do NOT struggle with any passage within the symphony. Tilson Thomas' rendering is as close to flawless as I have heard. By contrast, the brass in the "incomparable London Philharmonic" sound bright, weak and tinny, while the strings are far too erratic to call a polished performance! I would rate this recording ahead of the Montreal Symphony and on par with the Concertgebouw. I own close to 15 recordings of this work and this is, by far, the best

Fantastic performance.......2004-03-28

MTT is not given the due credit he deserves. Too often, the SFSO is over-looked. But over the past decade MTT has been doing wonderful things with his orchestra. What we have now is a world-class orchestra that still plays with total conviction, heart, dedication, and total faith in its music director. MTT's current Mahler project with the orchestra has brought the conductor back into the spotlight, but the truth of the matter is, MTT was and is one of the leading conductors of today. I suggest listeners turn to some of his other recordings. His Romeo and Juliet and Mahler 7th (both on RCA) are fantastic, as are the resent Mahler recordings on the symphonies own label.

Demonstration Class Performace and Recording.......2003-07-30

With this being the bicentennial of Berlioz's birth I've been on a mission to listen to as many versions of his famous "Symphonie Fantastique" that I can get my hands on. I must own at least 12 different versions. They all have their merits, but this recording with Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony blew me away. It grips you from the start to finish. The orchestra plays with precision, emotion, and fire. The sound quality is truly in the demonstration class. My only disappointment (minor) is the omission of the obbligato cornets.

With the addition of highlights from "Lélio" this is truly a generous CD in both time value (75+ minutes) and content.

Highly recommended.

One of the very best.......2003-04-24

IMHO, this is one of the finest recent recordings of this magnificent work, second perhaps only to Mariss Jansons fantastic recording with the Concertgebouw on EMI. I was lucky enough to hear this conductor/orchestra pairing perform this piece live on tour a few years ago and can say that this recording lacks none of the emotional immediacy they are capable of live. To me this performance proves that the SFSO rightfully belongs among the finest virtuoso orchestras in the world. Few have recorded this piece with such stellar ensemble playing.

Note to Tina: if you read the score, Berlioz says that the bells are supposed to be placed 'derriere la scene' - behind the stage. Tilson Thomas's bells are not too sweet at all. They are how they should be. Most other conductors ignore that instruction unfortnately. The witches aren't dancing on the market square after all.

Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique/Lelio
Average customer rating:
Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique/Lelio

Manufacturer: Koss
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000004ANJ
Release Date: 1994-12-12

Tracks:

Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14a: Allegro agitato e appassionato assai: Dreams - Passions
Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14a: Valse - Allegro non troppo: A Ball
Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14a: Adagio: Scene In The Country
Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14a: Allegretto non troppo: March To The Scaffold
Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14a: Larghetto - Allegro: Dream Of A Witches' Sabbath

Tracks:

Lelio, Or The Return To Life, Op. 14b: Monologue
Lelio, Or The Return To Life, Op. 14b: I. The Fisherman
Lelio, Or The Return To Life, Op. 14b: Monologue
Lelio, Or The Return To Life, Op. 14b: II. Chorus Of The Spirits
Lelio, Or The Return To Life, Op. 14b: Monologue
Lelio, Or The Return To Life, Op. 14b: III. Brigands' Song
Lelio, Or The Return To Life, Op. 14b: Monologue
Lelio, Or The Return To Life, Op. 14b: IV. Song Of Bliss
Lelio, Or The Return To Life, Op. 14b: Monologue
Lelio, Or The Return To Life, Op. 14b: V. The Aeolian Harp - Memories
Lelio, Or The Return To Life, Op. 14b: Monologue
Lelio, Or The Return To Life, Op. 14b: VI. Fantasia On Shakespear's 'The Tempest'
Lelio, Or The Return To Life, Op. 14b: Final Monologue

Average customer rating:

Hector Berlioz, Romantic Spirit

Manufacturer: Universal Classics
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

Masses | 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
ASIN: B00008VR6V
Release Date: 2003-07-01

Tracks:

Ouverture - London Symphony Orchestra
No.2: Air-'Ah! Si De La Tendresse - Janet Baker
La Captive, Op.12 - Josephine Veasey
Resurrexit - Monteverdi Choir
IV. Marche Au Supplice - Pierre Boulez
II. Choeur D'Ombres - Lambert Wilson
IX. Sanctus - John Mark Ainsley
Ouverture - Nicolai Gedda
'Une Heur Encore' - Nicolai Gedda
'La Gloire Etait Ma Seule Idole' - Nicolai Gedda
III. Marche Funebre Pour La Derniere Scene D'Hamlet - Pierre Boulez

Tracks:

Marche Hongroise - Anne Sofie Von Otter
'D'Amour L'Ardente Flamme' - Anne Sofie Von Otter
'Au Son Des Trompettes' - Anne Sofie Von Otter
Chasse Royale Et Orage - Charles Dutoit
'Nuit D'Ivresse Et D'Extase Infinie!' - Jon Vickers
III. Serenade - Pinchas Zukerman
I. Villanelle - Regine Crespin
IV. La Reine Mab, Ou La Fee Des Songes (Scherzo) - London Symphony Orchestra
L'Adieu Des Bergers A La Sainte Famille: 'Il S'En Va Loin De La Terre' - Choeur De Montreal
IV. Christe, Rex Gloriae (Hymne) - London Symphony Chorus
Ouverture - John Alldis Choir
'Dieu Qui Guidas Nos Bras' - John Alldis Choir
'Approchez, Claudio!' - John Alldis Choir
'Ici L'On Voit Benedict' - John Alldis Choir
'L'Amour Est Un Flambeau' - John Alldis Choir

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, Op.14/Lélio, Op.14

Average customer rating:

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, Op.14/Lélio, Op.14

Manufacturer: Denon Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000034RJ
Release Date: 1993-01-20

Tracks:

Fantastic Sym, Op.14 (Episode in the life of an artist): Premiere Partie: Day-dreams - Passions - Eliahu Inbal/RSO Frankfurt
Fantastic Sym, Op.14 (Episode in the life of an artist): Deuxieme Partie: A Ball - Eliahu Inbal/RSO Frankfurt
Fantastic Sym, Op.14 (Episode in the life of an artist): Troisieme Partie: In the Meadows - Eliahu Inbal/RSO Frankfurt
Fantastic Sym, Op.14 (Episode in the life of an artist): Quatrieme Partie: March to the Scaffold - Eliahu Inbal/RSO Frankfurt
Fantastic Sym, Op.14 (Episode in the life of an artist): Cinquiemen Partie: Sabbath Night's Dream - Eliahu Inbal/RSO Frankfurt

Tracks:

Lelio, or The Return of Life, Op.14 bis (Lyric Monodrama): Dieu! je vis encore
Lelio, or The Return of Life, Op.14 bis (Lyric Monodrama): I. The Fisherman. Ballad by Goethe
Lelio, or The Return of Life, Op.14 bis (Lyric Monodrama): Etrange persistance d'un souvenir
Lelio, or The Return of Life, Op.14 bis (Lyric Monodrama): II. Chor of Shades
Lelio, or The Return of Life, Op.14 bis (Lyric Monodrama): O Shakespeare! Shakespeare!
Lelio, or The Return of Life, Op.14 bis (Lyric Monodrama): III. Brigands' Song
Lelio, or The Return of Life, Op.14 bis (Lyric Monodrama): Comme mon esprit glotte incertain!
Lelio, or The Return of Life, Op.14 bis (Lyric Monodrama): IV. Song of Bliss
Lelio, or The Return of Life, Op.14 bis (Lyric Monodrama): Oh! que ne puis-je la trouver,...
Lelio, or The Return of Life, Op.14 bis (Lyric Monodrama): V. Aeolian Harp-Recollections
Lelio, or The Return of Life, Op.14 bis (Lyric Monodrama): Mais Pourquoi m'abandonner a ces...
Lelio, or The Return of Life, Op.14 bis (Lyric Monodrama): VI. Fant on Shakespear's 'The Tempest'
Lelio, or The Return of Life, Op.14 bis (Lyric Monodrama): Assez pour aujourd' hui!
Lelio, or The Return of Life, Op.14 bis (Lyric Monodrama): Allegro meno mosso

Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique; Les nuits d'été; La mort de Cléopatre

Average customer rating:

Roman Carnival captures spirit!
Otherwise great album except for the Symphonie Fantastique

Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique; Les nuits d'été; La mort de Cléopatre

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000002A2J
Release Date: 1995-01-31

Tracks:

'Dieu! Je Vis Encore...' - Jean-Louis Barrault/John Mitchinson/John Shirley-Quirk
I. The Fisherman - Jean-Louis Barrault/John Mitchinson/John Shirley-Quirk
'Etrange Persistance D'un Souvenir!' - Jean-Louis Barrault/John Mitchinson/John Shirley-Quirk
II. Chor Of Shades - Jean-Louis Barrault/John Mitchinson/John Shirley-Quirk
'O Shakespeare! Shakespeare! Toi Dont Les Premieres Annees' - Jean-Louis Barrault/John Mitchinson/John Shirley-Quirk
III. Song Of Brigands - Jean-Louis Barrault/John Mitchinson/John Shirley-Quirk
'Comme Mon Esprit Flotte Incertain!' - Jean-Louis Barrault/John Mitchinson/John Shirley-Quirk
IV. Song Of Happiness - Jean-Louis Barrault/John Mitchinson/John Shirley-Quirk
'Oh! Que Ne Puis-Je La Trouver' - Jean-Louis Barrault/John Mitchinson/John Shirley-Quirk
V. The Aeolian Harp - Souvenirs - Jean-Louis Barrault/John Mitchinson/John Shirley-Quirk
'Mais Pourquoi N'Abandonner A Ces Dangereuses Illusions?' - Jean-Louis Barrault/John Mitchinson/John Shirley-Quirk
VI. Fantasia On Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' - Jean-Louis Barrault/John Mitchinson/John Shirley-Quirk
'Assez Pour Aujourd'hui' - Jean-Louis Barrault/John Mitchinson/John Shirley-Quirk
Ov. Allegretto Scherzando - New York Phil
Entr'acte. Sicilienne. Allegretto - New York Phil
Les Troyens (Excerpts):Royal Hunt And Storm. Larghetto Non Troppo Lento - New York Phil

Tracks:

I. Villanelle - Yvonne Minton/Stuart Burrows
II. Le Spectre De La Rose - Yvonne Minton/Stuart Burrows
III. Sur Les Lagunes (Lamento) - Yvonne Minton/Stuart Burrows
IV. Absence - Yvonne Minton/Stuart Burrows
V. Au Cimetiere (Clair De Lune) - Yvonne Minton/Stuart Burrows
VI. L'lle Inconnue - Yvonne Minton/Stuart Burrows
La Mort De Cleopatre: Lyric Scene - Yvonne Minton

Tracks:

I. Reveries - Passions. Largo - Allegro Agitato E Appassionato Assai - LSO
II. A Ball. Valse. Allegro Non Troppo - LSO
III. Scene In The Country. Adagio - LSO
IV. March To The Scaffold. Allegretto Non Troppo - LSO
Larghetto - Allegro - LSO
Dies Irae - LSO
Ronde Du Sabbat - LSO
Dies Irae Et Ronde Du Sabbat Ens - LSO
Benvenuto Cellini (Excerpt): Ov. Allegro Deciso Con Impeto - New York Phil
Le Carnaval Romain, Op. 9, Concert Ov: Allegro Assai Con Fuoco - Andante Sostenuto... - New York Phil

Customer Reviews:

Roman Carnival captures spirit!.......2005-09-22

I must differ with the opinion of the writer of the other review of this album regarding the Roman Carnival Overture. It is easily the most exciting performance I've heard on disc. Especially towards the end, Boulez and the New York Philharmonic capture, with dash and verve, every quirky rhythmic and harmonic turn Berlioz concocts and the "pedal to the metal" drive to the finish simply can't be beat. I do agree with the other reviewer that the performance of the Symphonie fantastique is not a great one at all. You would definitely do better with the old standby Munch and Boston Symphony recording or the budget label recording with Cluytens and the Philharmonia Orchestra. Be that as it may, the very fine performance of Lelio and the other overtures more than makes up for the lack luster Symphonie fantastique. Boulez understands Berlioz's bipolarity and has a keen ear for bringing out the originality of his orchestration. Sad to say, few conductors these days capture these extremes in his music quite as Boulez did. I strongly recommend this collection if it ever becomes available again.

Otherwise great album except for the Symphonie Fantastique.......2001-10-23

What could have been a great Berlioz album for Pierre Boulez has been ruined with his recording of the "Symphonie Fantastique." The other selections, "Lelio,", selections from his operas, "Beatrice & Benedict," "Royal Hunt and Storm" from "Les Troyens," "La Mort de Cleopatre," "Les Nuits d'ete" and the overtures from "Benevenuto Cellini" and "Le Carnaval romain," are all otherwise very fine recordings (with the exception of "Le Carnaval romain," which is a little slack in tempo) especially "Lelio," which is the sequel to the "Symphonie Fantastique."

First, the good part of the album. In addition to the musical portions of "Lelio," which were excellently performed and recorded, this recording features a prominent French actor, the late Jean-Louis Barrault, as the narrator (Lelio, or more accurately, Berlioz himself), and protagonist in Berlioz' "Episode in the Life of an Artist." Barrault provides very dramatic flair to bring alive the part of what many might consider a mentally-deranged individual, but this is part of what makes this work a classic example of the Romantic spirit that was Berlioz. Due to its unconventional performance requirements and its place in "Episode in the Life of an Artist," it is unfortunately a weak follow-up to the "Symphonie Fantastique." The London Symphony and Chorus were really up for this recording, and the soloists, John Mitchinson and John Shirley-Quirk are fine. "Lelio" is performed only extremely rarely, anywhere. To these ears, all-in-all, the best recording of "Lelio" ever made (and extremely few have been made). A shame that Sony didn't make available this recording of "Lelio" as a separate item from this multi-CD set.

Boulez' recording of the "Symphonie Fantastique" is another matter. In addition to not being as well recorded as was "Lelio," his "Fantastique" performance is a poor companion to his performance of "Lelio." It is dull, and about fit for a Friday afternoon matinee performance where the audience is mainly elderly.

The song cycle, "Les Nuits d'ete" are finely sung by Yvonne Minton and Stuart Burrows, with Boulez conducting the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Minton sings the single solo part in Berlioz' cantata, "La Mort de Cleopatre."

If you have the money, get this set only for the "Lelio" performance; you will find no other as fine as this. There are better recorded performances of the smaller pieces in this album, and the "Fantastique" is a total write-off.

Music Review:

Music Review

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Music Review

Second Hand

Violin Concerto / Variations on Rococo

Vladimir Horowitz 2

Afrodesia

Walpurgisnacht (Raritaten Teil II) [Import]

Tres Por Una

Walk the Talk

Walking Wounded

When We All Get to Heaven

Todos a Bailar [Import]

War

Viaje De Mi Alma

Way of Life (Enhanced) [CD-single] [Import]

Urban Compositions

Circle