Berlioz: Harold en Italie & Overtures

Advantages: Good sound quality, strong and compelling interpretation
Disadvantages: really not applicable

...Now, we all hear of Berlioz for his wonderful and original Symphonie fantastique of 1830 and yet how many classical music fans can say they know this work as well as that? However, I would encourage you to get to know it. Berlioz originally wrote it as a viola concerto for the great virtuoso Paganini, who claimed it was not virtuosic enough. What a great joy to hear more from the viola! At times taking a solo, at others, shimmering in the background of the scenes. Pictorial and romantic, exciting and dynamic are just some words I would use to describe this CD. The LSO must be praised for their sensitive playing. Davis takes the reins to create a most compelling and vivid interpretation of Harold's journey. The balance of the solo viola line especially in the third movement here is well judged. The tempi are flexible and the pace... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Colourful and always exciting
Disadvantages: absolutely none

...) should be a very good introduction into the world of Berlioz. FEW LAST WORDS Always a revolutionary, Berlioz never repeated the same thing twice (in terms of form that is). His second symphony, "Harold en Italie" was originally supposed to be a viola concerto for the violin virtuoso Paganini, but then evolved into a "symphony with viola solo" and his third, "Roméo et Juliette" is more close to a semi-opera than a symphony (it is described as being a dramatic symphony). The Symphonie fantastique was followed in 1831 by a work subtitled "Le retour à la vie" (Return to Life), and was renamed "Lélio: deuxième partie de l'épisode de la vie d'un artiste, ou le retour à la vie" in 1855. This sequel was for narrator, soloists, and orchestra, also featuring the idée fixe, but being more disjointed and somewhat of a curiosity. His two great sacred... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Great passion, beautiful melodies, unrestrained romanticism
Disadvantages: The finale doesn't quite convince in it's purpose

...HAPPINESS, OR TRAGEDY? After the doom-laden confessional that was the Fourth Symphony, Tchaikovsky was finally getting more in peace with himself. His fame began to spread and by 1885 he was already considered a national hero. This time saw the maturation of Tchaikovsky's style from the more blatantly folk-song oriented works and the more youthfully turbulent ideas to a more mainstream and calmer drift. Following the Fourth Symphony came the Violin Concerto, the Second Piano Concerto, the colourful overtures Capriccio Italien (composed during his bright stay at Italy) and 1812 (with the famous cannon-fire finale), the subtle String Serenade, the elegiac Piano Trio, a couple of small operas, and the large scale Manfred Symphony, amid some smaller scale works, all predominately genial in character. In 1888, after getting over his fear... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful