Hector Berlioz

[Drasko]

 

[MN Dave]

Thanks, gentlemen.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

[MN Dave]

Excellent. Thanks.

[mc ukrneal]

x2

[dirkronk]

x2

I agree. Munch is wonderful in Berlioz generally, and this disc of overtures is especially good.

I notice that C.Davis's London recording of the Sym Fantastique is shown. I have both this and the later Concertgebouw on vinyl (and prefer the later one by a minor margin), but that's just me.

Harold in Italy frequently gets snubbed, but in playing the LP of Lincer with Bernstein a couple of months ago, I was very pleasantly reminded of what an engaging version it is, at least IMO. YMMV, of course.

Oddly enough, back in the 1970s sometime, before I ever found a Symphonie Fantastique I could settle on, I found a Symphonie Funebre et Triomphale that I like up 'til today: the Dondeyne (originally a Calliope recording, but my transfer is on Nonesuch vinyl). Hardly must-have music, but exciting froth served up in fine...and fine sounding...fashion. At least, that's how I recall it. I suppose I really should take it down for another spin. It's been a long time since the last one.


Dirk

[Daverz]

Harold in Italy - Suk/Fischer-Dieskau/Supraphon (yes, Fischer-Dieskau as conductor.  Too bad he didn't continue with a conducting career.)
Romeo & Juliet Orchestral Music - Giulini/Chicago SO (last seen in "The Chicago Years" set on EMI.)
Les Nuits d'ete - Janet Baker/Barbirolli on EMI

[DavidW]

Romeo & Juliet is what I play the most, it is my favorite work. 0:)

[knight66]

There are many desireable versions of Les Nuits d'ete. My long term favourite on EMI is Janet Baker withe Barbirolli. It has just been given a mention. It is paired with the early cantata La Mort de Cleopatre and the final section of Les Troyens. Those last two are conducted by Alexander Gibson. So it is an exceptionally well filled disc. It is a great pity Baker did not record the complete Troyens, she is terrific in it.

An alternative to the above is on DG Baremboim conducts Kiri te Kanawa on Les Nuits, one of her most successful recordings. The Cleopatre is Jessye Norman and this piece might have almost been written for her.

For the Berlioz Te Deum; I have tried, but cannot see past the elderly Colin Davis version Phillips. Even now it sounds good and he captures the incense singeing drama of the piece. If you have access to the BBC Music Magazine, there is a very good live version of the piece from the London Proms stuck onto the front of it this month.

Damnation of Faust: I suggest on DG Myung-Whun Chung with von Otter, Terfel and Keith Lewis. This latter for once is neither Italianate nor strained. He has ardour and a sweetness to his voice. von Otter and Terfel are both caught when their voices are at their peak.

Mike

[dirkronk]

Harold in Italy - Suk/Fischer-Dieskau/Supraphon (yes, Fischer-Dieskau as conductor.  Too bad he didn't continue with a conducting career.)

Agreed. I may still have this one, though on vinyl...I'll have to check the old shelves. Suk's playing, whether violin or viola, is almost always special. As for DFD, I think I still have his conducting of the Schumann symphony 2, as well. Not the most propulsive performance (of either piece), but some lovely phrasing, which is what one might expect from a singer-cum-conductor I suppose.

Dirk

[MN Dave]

Thanks. I didn't realize he wrote so much for voice.

[Josquin des Prez]

Thanks. I didn't realize he wrote so much for voice.

That's all he ever wrote.

[karlhenning]

Ah, humor. Like the funny kind, only different.

[MN Dave]

Ah, humor. Like the funny kind, only different.

[Lethevich]

I don't know whether it's an oratorio, cantata or what, but ever so good and this performance is always a joy to hear.

[knight66]

That is about the only piece of Berlioz I have not been able to crack. Bits appeal to me, but somehow, I just can't get the piece under my skin. It can sound dirgelike to me, possibly a problem with the recording I have...which is not the above one.

Mike

[Lethevich]

I think it was one of his earlier works as he was turning away from his public Romantic image, the contemplative (or dour ) style may have been intentional. I will admit, I can only recall one up-tempo number from it.

[karlhenning]

I've heard that Herreweghe recording well spoken of.

[knight66]

I ought to revisit the piece, as I like Berlioz so much...usually.

There is a lovely early song called La Captive; a beautiful sinuous melody gently suggesting the exotic. Well worth looking out for Dave.

Mike

[kishnevi]

Agreed. I may still have this one, though on vinyl...I'll have to check the old shelves. Suk's playing, whether violin or viola, is almost always special. As for DFD, I think I still have his conducting of the Schumann symphony 2, as well. Not the most propulsive performance (of either piece), but some lovely phrasing, which is what one might expect from a singer-cum-conductor I suppose.

Dirk

You can also find him conducting Barenboim and the LPO in the Schumann PC and Introduction & Allegro Appassionata on EMI; it's paired on their Encore series with Barenboim conduction (who else) DuPre in the Schumann Cello Concerto.--although I've not listened to it enough to hear anything that stands out about the conducting in any way (or the pianist, either, come to think of it).

As to L'enfance--I have the Corydon Singers on Hyperion; for the me the best portion is Herod's semi-mad scene in Part I.