Hector Berlioz

[TheGSMoeller]

My 4th recording of L'Enfance du Christ, just gave it a first listen, going in for a second now, might top Gardiner, Cluytens and Best as my top choice, Herreweghe and Co. find a real essence to this music, a smooth and ethereal quality that is undeniably beautiful. Paul Agnew's performance of the narrator is angelic, the best I've heard.

[madaboutmahler]

For anyone interested, the Symphonie Fantastique blind comparison thread has just started, and the links for Round 1 will be sent out within the next week or two. If you wish to take part, please post on the thread.

Should be an exciting comparison!

[Lilas Pastia]

Media fire statistics seem to indicate that no one has downloaded this track.  Final notice before I take it down to free up space.

Give me a couple of days. I have some Wolff recordings I treasure ( his Auber overtures and Franck Symphony in particular). Are the links still 'alive'?

[Brahmsian]

Question:  Has there ever been a ballet production based on the Symphonie Fantastique?  I think for the most part, most of the music could be blended in nicely (with a few touch ups) for ballet dance.

I think it would make for an interesting ballet, especially the March (mini leap towards the Scaffold). 

[Brahmsian]

Now back-to-back Berlioz Grande Messe des Morts, my favourite sacred work of any composer.

First, the Maazel/Cleveland Orchestra recording, followed by Dutoit/OSM (courtesy of Georgia Greg!)

Perhaps my favourite movement of any choral work is the beautiful Sanctus of Berlioz' Requiem.  So incredibly beautiful, with solo tenor voice and beautiful choir singing. 

[Brian]

My 4th recording of L'Enfance du Christ, just gave it a first listen, going in for a second now, might top Gardiner, Cluytens and Best as my top choice, Herreweghe and Co. find a real essence to this music, a smooth and ethereal quality that is undeniably beautiful. Paul Agnew's performance of the narrator is angelic, the best I've heard.

Have you heard any more since, Greg? I recently first-listened this (Davis/LSO) and was enamored: the feather-light, breathtaking scoring... as subtle as fantastique is un-. This week sounds like a good time to hear it a second time.

[Brahmsian]

Now listening to:

Grande Symphonie Funebre et Triomphale (one of my favourite Berlioz works)

Jeffrey Budin, solo trombone

Choeur de l'Orchestre symphonique de Montreal

Dutoit, conducting
OSM

Decca

[Karl Henning]

Choir in the finale of that performance?

[Brahmsian]

Choir in the finale of that performance?

It is listed, mon ami! 

[Karl Henning]

Hah! Teach me to be inattentive. I've been concentrating on starting a new percussion ensemble piece.  0:)

[TheGSMoeller]

Hah! Teach me to be inattentive. I've been concentrating on starting a new percussion ensemble piece.  0:)

I believe the choir is optional, although the three versions I own all contain choir.

[Brahmsian]

More Berlioz...so awesome! 

Le Carnaval romain
Symphonie fantastique

Davis/LSO (1965/63)

Philips

Harold en Italie

Pinchas Zukerman, viola

Dutoit/OSM

Decca

[TheGSMoeller]

Have you heard any more since, Greg? I recently first-listened this (Davis/LSO) and was enamored: the feather-light, breathtaking scoring... as subtle as fantastique is un-. This week sounds like a good time to hear it a second time.

I have not heard the Davis/LSO version of Christ yet, but now researching it I'm coming across some glowing reviews and the fact that Tenebrae is singing is a strong convincing factor. Thanks for the mention, Brian.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

I have not heard the Davis/LSO version of Christ yet, but now researching it I'm coming across some glowing reviews and the fact that Tenebrae is singing is a strong convincing factor. Thanks for the mention, Brian.

I also have Davis/LSO, but it's the Philips version. Don't know if we're talking about the same performance. But the Philips is superb.

(Also have Dutoit's version. It's great, too).

[Brian]

I also have Davis/LSO, but it's the Philips version. Don't know if we're talking about the same performance. But the Philips is superb.

(Also have Dutoit's version. It's great, too).

Hah, oops! Mine was the LSO Live (Tenebrae) one. Eavesdropped on Naxos Music Library, which I hope to do with Herreweghe tomorrow or Tuesday. It will only be my second listen to the work, so don't expect smashing insights.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Hah, oops! Mine was the LSO Live (Tenebrae) one.

That's probably good, too. Davis's remakes seem to be every bit as good as his earlier Philips versions.

[Brian]

That's probably good, too. Davis's remakes seem to be every bit as good as his earlier Philips versions.

His Requiem got much slower on LSO Live (I think 6-8 minutes longer than the live 1994 Dresden performance on Profil).

[Dancing Divertimentian]

His Requiem got much slower on LSO Live (I think 6-8 minutes longer than the live 1994 Dresden performance on Profil).

He's at about the 89.5 minute mark for the Philips, which is of course studio. Dutoit is about 7-8 minutes faster.

[Mirror Image]

What does everyone make of Tocati's Berlioz recordings on Linn Records?

[TheGSMoeller]

What does everyone make of Tocati's Berlioz recordings on Linn Records?

I have the fantastique recording, which I really like (I think Sarge may also approve). Haven't heard the other two yet, but the Nuits disc was a Gramophone recording of the month not too long ago. I personally would like to get those two.