Berlioz: Death of Orpheus; Death of Cleopatra

Advantages: Original instruments, classical greek myth
Disadvantages: Serious and tragic

..., the Bacchantes offer him a cup of poison; he drinks it and dies. The river Lethe rises up in anger . When the storm gradually dies down the remains of Orfpheus are carried away by the waters, to find rest on the Isle of Lesbos. The musical highlights of the CD include Orpheus calming the savages, first by playing his harp then by singing of his love for Eurydice (Cara speme). The lovers sing a duet of the joy that fills their hearts (Come il foco allo splendore) nothing can destroy their love (Né la sorte, né la morte). Euridice’s death aria in the second act is an incredibly slow recitative (Del mio core il voto estremo). . The opera ends with a shattering D minor chorus which dwindles away to nothing except a lonely timpani roll (Andiamo, amiche, andiamo). Composer: Franz Joseph Haydn Joseph Haydn was born in Rohrau, Austria on 31 March 1732... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Colourful and always exciting
Disadvantages: absolutely none

...movement, a kind of predecessor for Wagner's leitmotiv. And the fact that it was Berlioz's first symphony (he was only 26 years old), written just three years after the death of Beethoven (who was literally unknown in Paris at that time), the boldness of the work is incredible. So a work like this has to be considered as a major event in the history of music. The Symphonie would later greatly influence other contemporary composers like Franz Liszt, who was one of the major fore-runners of the early Romantic era. The work would also establish Berlioz's reputation around the world and would remain his most famous and popular work, keeping his memory alive through the 20th century. Even though much has been made of the Smithson influence in this work, I think Thomas DeQuincey's book "Confessions of an English Opium Eater" was perhaps more... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: The idee fixe. Unique and contrasting.
Disadvantages: None whatsoever.

...Composed by Hector Belioz Performed by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra) Conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras Label Royal Philharmonic Price £12.99 Available in most good music stores Berlioz was born in Lyons in 1803 and spent most of his working life in Paris. Belioz used his musical idol Beethoven as his role model when composing his Symphony Fantastique. He was obsessed by the Irish actress Harriet Smithson. He wrote her dozens of letters to which she never replied. Years later, she they did meet and they eventually married though not successfully. Berlioz decided to express his experiences through music. Using Beethoven's handling of the symphony, Berlioz set about to construct a a symphony that retained many of the traditional elements yet pushed it towards a new direction. Symphonie Fantastique has five movements each detailing... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful