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

...), and with it's modest cost (at least here in Finland) 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... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: A work that changed the way we look at symphonies
Disadvantages: none whatsoever

...'s wanderings from E flat major into foreign tonalities from the very beginning already sets uneasiness to the symphony. The music also features many violent off-beats, strange harmonic twists, passages of such turbulance never heard before in orchestral music and other peculiarities that caused alienation with the people adjusted to thinking music as a pleasant pastime, not as a deeply personal utterance. As Brahms said: "Writing symphonies was no longer playful." I. Allegro con brio The symphony begins with two forceful E flat major chords (forte) that instantly set the tone of the music. The cellos then launch into the main theme, that in actuality is nothing more than an E flat chord tipped on its side and turned into a melody. Incidentally this theme bears incredible resemblance to the overture of Mozart's youthful singspiel Bastien et... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful