Berlioz: Harold in Italy

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: Every tune's a winner
Disadvantages: Nothing new

...Brahms Germany Strauss, R Germany Mahler Germany Offenbach Germany Liszt Hungary Rossini Italy Vivaldi Italy Puccini Italy Einaudi Italy Verdi Italy Grieg Norway Shostakovich Russia Mussorgsky Russia Rachmaninov Russia Rimsky-Korsakov Russia Stravinsky Russia Borodin Russia Tchaikovsky Russia Prokofiev Russia Nyman UK Holst UK Tavener UK Britten UK Elgar UK Rutter UK Williams US Copland US Gershwin US Preisner ? How many names did you recognise? Probably most of them! You would imagine that most of "the world's greatest composers" had long lain in their graves (dare I say, decomposing…), But, in fact, a handful of them are young and consulting their muses as I type. Michael Nyman, for example, wrote the haunting soundtrack to the film "The Piano", and Tavener has become very popular in recent years for his dramatic and ultimately accessible... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful