Berlioz Great Orchestral Works

Record and Artist Details

Composer or Director: Hector Berlioz

Label: Duo

Media Format: CD or Download

Media Runtime: 150

Mastering:

ADD

Catalogue Number: 442 290-2PM2

Tracks:

Composition Artist Credit
Symphonie fantastique Hector Berlioz, Composer
Colin Davis, Conductor
Hector Berlioz, Composer
London Symphony Orchestra
(Le) carnaval romain Hector Berlioz, Composer
Colin Davis, Conductor
Hector Berlioz, Composer
London Symphony Orchestra
(Le) Corsaire Hector Berlioz, Composer
Colin Davis, Conductor
Hector Berlioz, Composer
London Symphony Orchestra
Harold en Italie Hector Berlioz, Composer
Colin Davis, Conductor
Hector Berlioz, Composer
London Symphony Orchestra
Nobuko Imai, Viola
Symphonie funèbre et triomphale Hector Berlioz, Composer
(John) Alldis Choir
Colin Davis, Conductor
Hector Berlioz, Composer
London Symphony Orchestra
Davis's performances of Berlioz remain among the finest of our time, and in days when there was still a cause to be won they played a crucial part in establishing a central place in the repertory for that wayward romantic genius. Those here recorded have long been favourites with collectors and it is splendid, and splendid value, to have them here assembled in a convenient two-disc format. The oldest, the Symphonie fantastique, has been more sumptuously recorded since, but not conducted more perceptively or more excitingly, not least since Davis never goes for mere excitement: his charge of energy comes from a deeper involvement with the music, so that the liveliness of ''Un bal'' can emerge from a tinge of the sinister in the opening figures and the ''Marche au supplice'' thuds with menace beneath the crack of the rhythms. There is a strong case for the period-instrument versions by Norrington and Gardiner, but of those using the standard modern orchestra there is none I would prefer.
Nobuko Imai's performance of Harold is not, however, one to set above Davis's 1962 recording of the work with Menuhin. She is confident, warm and smooth where Menuhin's more questing approach seeks out more. Nevertheless, it is a fine performance, as is that of the Symphonie funebre et triomphale. The two overtures make up a full pair of discs in a highly recommendable package.'

Discover the world's largest classical music catalogue with Presto Music. 

Stream on Presto Music | Buy from Presto Music

Gramophone Print

  • Print Edition

From £6.67 / month

Subscribe

Gramophone Digital Club

  • Digital Edition
  • Digital Archive
  • Reviews Database
  • Full website access

From £8.75 / month

Subscribe

                              

If you are a library, university or other organisation that would be interested in an institutional subscription to Gramophone please click here for further information.