Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. 1. Rêveries. Passions (Largo - Allegro agitato ed appassionato assai) - Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Colin Davis
2. 2. Un bal (Valse: Allegro non troppo) - Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Colin Davis
3. 3. Scène aux champs (Adagio) - Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Colin Davis
4. 4. Marche au supplice (Allegretto non troppo) - Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Colin Davis
5. 5. Songe d'une nuit du Sabbat (Larghetto - Allegro - Ronde du Sabbat: Poco meno mosso) - Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Colin Davis
6. 3. Marche funèbre pour la dernière scène d'Hamlet - The John Alldis Choir, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
7. Menuet des Follets - London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
8. Marche hongroise - London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis

Disc 2:

1. 1. Le Pêcheur - José Carreras, John Constable, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
2. 2. Choeur d'Ombres - The John Alldis Choir, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
3. 3. Chanson de brigands - Thomas Allen, The John Alldis Choir, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
4. 4. Chant de bonheur - José Carreras, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
5. 5. La harpe éolienne - Souvenirs - Renata Scheffel-Stein, Roy Jowitt, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
6. 6. Fantaisie sur "La Tempête" de Shakespeare - The John Alldis Choir, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
7. 1. Marche funèbre (Moderato un poco lento) - London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
8. 2. Oraison funèbre (Adagio non tanto - Andantino un poco lento e sostenuto) - London Symphony Orchestra, Denis Wick, Colin Davis
9. 3. Apothéose (Allegro non troppo e pomposo) - The John Alldis Choir, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis

Disc 3:

1. 1a. Harold aux montagnes (Adagio) - Nobuko Imai, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
2. 1b. Harold aux montagnes (Allegro) - Nobuko Imai, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
3. 2. Marche des Pèlerins (Allegretto) - Nobuko Imai, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
4. 3. Sérénade (Allegro assai - Allegretto) - Nobuko Imai, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
5. 4. Orgie de brigands (Allegro frenetico - Adagio - Allegro, Tempo I) - Nobuko Imai, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
6. Prélude - Les Troyens à Carthage - London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
7. No.29 Chasse royale et orage - Pantomime - Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Colin Davis
8. No.32 Marche pour l'entrée de la reine - Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Colin Davis
9. No.33 Ballet: a) Pas des almées - Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Colin Davis
10. No.33 Ballet: b) Danse des esclaves - Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Colin Davis
11. No.33 Ballet: c) Pas d'esclaves nubiennes - Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Colin Davis
12. Rêverie et Caprice, Op.8 - Arthur Grumiaux, New Philharmonia Orchestra, Edo de Waart

Disc 4:

1. Introduction - London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
2. Prologue: "D'anciennes haines endormies" - Patricia Kern, The John Alldis Choir, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
3. Strophe 1: "Premiers transports que nul n'oublie" - Patricia Kern, The John Alldis Choir, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
4. Strophe 2: "Heureux enfants aux coeurs de flamme" - Patricia Kern, The John Alldis Choir, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
5. Récitatif et Scherzetto: "Bientôt de Roméo" - "Mab! la messagère" - "Bientôt la mort est souveraine" - Robert Tear, The John Alldis Choir, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
6. Roméo seul - Tristesse - Concert et bal. - London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
7. Grande fête chez les Capulets - London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
8. "Ohé! Capulets! bonsoir, bonsoir!" - The John Alldis Choir, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
9. Scène d'amour - London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis

Disc 5:

1. Scherzo: La reine Mab, où la fée des songes - London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
2. Convoi funèbre de Juliette: "Jetez des fleurs pour la vierge expirée!" - The John Alldis Choir, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
3. Roméo au tombeau des Capulets - London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
4. "Quoi! Roméo de retour!" - John Shirley-Quirk, The John Alldis Choir, London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
5. "Pauvres enfants que je pleure - Mais notre sang rougit leur glaive" - John Shirley-Quirk, The John Alldis Choir, London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
6. "Jurez donc par l'auguste symbole" - John Shirley-Quirk, The John Alldis Choir, London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis

Disc 6:

1. Ouverture - London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
2. Ouverture - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
3. Overture "Le roi Lear", Op.4 - London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
4. Overture "Les francs-juges", Op.3 - London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
5. Overture "Waverley", Op.1 - London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
6. Overture "Le corsaire", Op.21 - London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
7. Overture "Le carnaval romain", Op.9 - London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #58539 in Music
• Released on: 1997-08-11
• Number of discs: 6
• Format: Box set
• Running time: 391 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Berlioz was the first Romantic master of the orchestra. His music hasn't been surpassed in terms of sheer brilliance and accuracy of effect. This set includes all of the overtures, the Symphonie fantastique, Harold in Italy, the Royal Hunt and Storm from Les Troyens, orchestral music from The Damnation of Faust and Romeo and Juliet, and the completely insane Grande Symphonie funebre et triumphale. Davis achieved his reputation as a conductor as a Berlioz specialist, and he proves an expert advocate on behalf of this stimulating, bizarre and totally original genius. The recording quality, so critical in such colourful music, is also very good. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews

Utterly brilliant
Berlioz is a sadly neglected composer. However, he was a true revolutionary and an absolute genius who wrote a huge amount of totally original and imaginative compositions. In this bargain value set Sir Colin Davis does noble justice to this wonderful music.

The set includes the famous 1960s recording of the Symphonie Fantastique and listening to it now one is struck by the energy and passion which pervades the work, put in by both the composer (who wrote it under the influence of unrequited love for an English Shakespearean actress) and the conductor and orchestra (both on dazzling form).

The other major jewel in this set is the recording of Romeo et Juliette. This is perhaps my favourite of Berlioz's many pieces as it is simply overwhelmingly beautiful and gorgeously rich in orchestral colour. The performance here does this amazing piece true justice. The playing of orchestra, choir, and soloists is truly outstanding and the symphony shines with warm radiance. The symphony is itself revolutionary. The 'symphony' includes both choir and soloists and the music is far in advance of its time (it was completed in 1839). In the music you can here where other composers took inspiration. Indeed, Wagner was one composer who immediately saw the genius of Berlioz after he heard the work.

Harold en Italie is another brillaintly original piece in this set. After Paganini had heard Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique he saw the composer's genius and commissioned a viola concerto. Berlioz, however, then composed another very original and beautiful piece which, although a masterpiece, failed to interest Paganini (he wanted something to show off his devilish talent and complained that the viola part was not prominent enough). Once hearing it however the violin virtuoso was so moved that he gave Berlioz a 20,000 franc cheque! The playing of all involved in this recording is excellent. The performance is wonderful and sparkles with energy.

All the pieces on these dics are brilliant. Also in the set is the sequel to the Symphonie Fantastique (Lelio); complete overtures; and highlights from La Damnation de Faust, Les Troyens, and Tristia. These discs are a must have for anyone who likes Berlioz and indeed evryone else because you should adore Berlioz! I recommend this set to absolutely everyone.