Est 1923

Berlioz Te Deum

Record and Artist Details

Composer or Director: Hector Berlioz

Label: Philips

Media Format: CD or Download

Media Runtime: 0

Mastering:

ADD

Catalogue Number: 416 660-2PH

Tracks:

Composition Artist Credit
Te Deum Hector Berlioz, Composer
Colin Davis, Conductor
Franco Tagliavini, Tenor
Hector Berlioz, Composer
London Symphony Chorus (amateur)
London Symphony Orchestra
Nicolas Kynaston, Organ
Wandsworth School Boys' Choir
On sonic grounds this all but 20-year-old recording, even in its CD transfer, has to yield to the more recent Abbado version on DG, which has greater immediacy and a spectacular dynamic range so much so that, at the lower end of that range, the final 'echo' section of the Tibi omnes and the organ's last chords in the Dignare call for sharper ears than on Philips. Davis used a smaller chorus than Abbado, who seems, forgivably, to have hankered after the 950 performers who took Dart in the premiere of the Te Deum in 1855: the latter's large numbers make a splendid full sound at ''Pleni sunt coeli'' and lend force to Berlioz's claim that the final Judex crederis movement was his ''most grandiose''—the great outbursts at ''speravi'' and ''non, non confundar'' are truly thrilling. On the other hand, Davis's sopranos are surer in their attacks on the high F sharps in the second movement. and he prepares his climaxes most skilfully; his Dignare is notable for its lyricism and breadth of flow; but his soloist in the Te ergo. Takliavani, is less suited to the French style than Abbado's Araiza, who spins a much cleaner line. Berlioz's admirers, if I know anything about them, will probably want both versions, and in both there is much to admire; but for sheer impact the DG has my vote.'

Berlioz Te Deum

Te Deum

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