Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, etc.

On this CD:

1. Symphonie fantastique for orchestra ("Episode de la vie d'un Artiste...en cinq parties"), H.48 (Op. 14)
Composed by Hector Berlioz
Performed by Philharmonia Orchestra
Conducted by Andre Cluytens

2. Le carnival romain, ouverture catactéristique (Roman Carnival Overture) for orchestra, H.95 (Op. 9)
Composed by Hector Berlioz
Performed by Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Louis Fremaux

3. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23
Composed by Hector Berlioz
Performed by Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Louis Fremaux

4. Marche troyenne, for orchestra (Les Troyens), H. 133b
Composed by Hector Berlioz
Performed by Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Louis Fremaux

Tracks:

Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14 (Episode de la vie d'un artiste): I. Reveries - Passions
Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14 (Episode de la vie d'un artiste): II. Un bal
Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14 (Episode de la vie d'un artiste): III. Scene aux champs
Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14 (Episode de la vie d'un artiste): IV. Marche au supplice
Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14 (Episode de la vie d'un artiste): V. Songe d'une nuit du Sabbat
'Berlioz Takes A Trip': Leonard Bernstein Explores The Symphonie Fantastique With Musical Illustrations By The New York Philharmonic

Amazon.com

Track 6 features Bernstein's narrated tour through this eccentric, groundbreaking symphonic masterpiece. Sadly, the conductor's pithy analogy between Berlioz's musical depiction of opium-inspired visions and the dangers of a contemporary trip ("brilliance without glory") remains as timely now as it was in 1968. Brilliance and glory, however, characterize the conductor's 1963 recording, reissued here for the first time on CD. The orchestral execution is not as fluid or well-oiled as it would be for Bernstein's 1968 remake, but slightly closer micing reveals a wealth of color, nuance, and dynamic differentiation absent from the original LP. Passages leap from your speakers with sparkling clarity. The conductor illuminates the composer's innovative orchestral combinations with a kind of urgency that lapses into bombast only in the frenzied final measures. And why not? An absorbing, excellently remastered release. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews:

speedy and great service.......2007-01-19

I received my purchase alot faster than I expected considering the holiday time of year. Thanks

Fantastic "Symphonie Fantastique"........2005-03-05

Long before the days of psychedelic rock and the prog-rock concept album, there was "Symphonie Fantastique" composed in 1830 by the great Hector Berlioz.
Even after its inception 175 years ago, the "Symphonie Fantastique" is regarded as a milestone not just in classical music but in all areas of music. Considering the time period in which it was created, the music, ideas and concept were way ahead anything else that was being done (except for maybe Beethoven who had died only three years before Berlioz completed this work).
The concept behind "Symphonie Fantastique" is an extraordinary one. A young musician falls in love with a beautiful woman but can't have her. So he poisons himself with opium in hopes of killing his pain (and himself). Instead of dying, the musician falls into a hallucinegenic sleep in which he has surrealistic dreams - all of which involve the woman in question. The beloved one is represented by a simple yet haunting theme which is heard in numerous variations throughout the work's five movements. Although, the symphony does not have any words, it isn't difficult to picture the scenery in which each movement takes place and it's also not difficult to sense the intrusion when the beloved's theme occurs each time throughout the work. The first movement sets the pace for the entire work with a majestic Beethoven-like theme along with the aforementioned theme of the beloved. The second movement depicts a giant ballroom with a danceable Strauss-like waltz interupted by the same theme. The third movement takes place in an outdoor countryside and is an overall pleasant piece. The beloved's theme here sounds like a rude intrusion in contrast to the calmness. The fourth movement, "March to the Scaffold", is a dynamic tour-de-force in which the troubled musician imagines he is being executed for killing his beloved. Finally, the last movement, "Dream of the Witches Sabbath", is a hellish nightmare in which the musician imagines he's dead in hell surrounded by witches, demons and evil spirits (this was before heavy metal). The chilling haunting quality of the music is perfectly executed. Its use of violins bowing the strings with the opposite end of the bow is especially affective in creating the bone-rattling goulish sounds heard towards the end of the movement.
Indeed, as mentioned above, Berlioz's "Symphonie Fantastique" was way ahead of its time when it was created. In a strange way, it does include elements of psychedelic music (the hallucinegenic theme of the work), prog (the fact that the five movements do indeed form a cohesive whole) and metal (the musical depiction of demonic things). And this was way back in the early 19th century.
On this disc, Leonard Bernstein not only does a flawless job at presenting this work, he also gives an excellent illustration of it in his discussion "Berlioz Takes A Trip" which is heard on Track 6 of this CD. Here, Bernstein dissects the piece musically and conceptually, allowing the listener to take a peek into Berlioz's obsessive mad genius. The remastered sound quality is also amazing giving the entire work a fresh clarity.
So there you have it, the first fruits of Psychedelic Prog-Metal all rolled into one musical work created 175 years ago by a brilliant composer by the name of Hector Berlioz.
Definitely a Symphonie Fantastique.

Awesome!.......2004-01-12

This is definitely highly recommended! His lecture on this "first psychedelic symphony" ever written was sure helpful. And the performance --- Berstein did show lots of passion and clarity to make it into a nearly flawless performance. The final two movement was especially giving me the chill it's hellishly excellent.

Those taking music appreciation, this is a MUST BUY! Enjoy your trip... without being drugged of course.

Berlioz Takes A Trip.......2003-10-29

This wonderful recording of Berlioz's "Symphonie Fantastique" and the companion recording, "Berlioz Takes A Trip," were the products of one of Leonard Bernstein's most memorable CBS telecasts. He made it clear that, long before modern hallucinogenic drugs such as LSD, Berlioz had envisioned a young man who was obsessed with a beautiful but elusive woman that he took opium and had a series of vision, all involving her. Berlioz represents the woman with a recurring theme, literally a "fixed idea," much as Wagner did with his leitmotifs in his musical dramas, particularly the "Ring Cycle." Berlioz's personal motivation for composing the symphony was his love for an English Shakespearean actress, Henrietta Smithson, whom Berlioz saw perform in Paris. He actually pursued her and they eventually married, but the marriage was failure because they were both very intense, egocentric individuals. They also had a language barrier and were unable to overcome it.

The March 5, 1968, performance in Philharmonic Hall (now Avery Fischer Hall) of the amazing 1830 composition (completed only three years after the death of Beethoven) has remained a milestone. Seldom did Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic succeed in giving such a definite, exciting performance. The orchestra plays with great precision and intensity throughout the five-movement work, capturing all the nuances and passion of this incredible piece.

Originally, Columbia issued the LP verison of this recording with a small disc that included Berlioz's lecture, which had been adapted from his "Young People's Concert" on CBS. This is clearly Bernstein at his best, both as lecturer and as conductor.

definitive = typical?and how to really annoy others.......2003-01-08

The final movement is on Kerman's "Listen" cd accompaniment to his textbook. At least, that's the first place I heard it.

Supposedly, the Davis recording is the definitive performance. Meaning if you want a reference tool, that's what everyone compares every performance afterwards to. As in, "well, it wasn't as good as the Davis Concertgebouw..." (see title of my review) Don't let that scare you away from different interpretations. Bernstein shines in the final two movements of this "Symphony Fantastique" performance. Considering these are the most commonly known parts to the symphony, and in my opinion the most entertaining, there's no reason why one can't enjoy the fine job Bernstein did on them.

The bombastic nature of the final "Dream of the Witches Sabbath" movement is nothing short of brilliant in creating a purgatory-ish enviornment. I've never been to hell myself - though I have been told by some to take a visit - but I'd imagine if I had to describe it in the context of a program symphony... it'd be a big bad rip-off of the Berlioz Witches' Sabbath movement here.

Anyhoo, if you're a fan of this work, Bernstein's interpretation of the IV & V movements are breathtaking, and appropriately so. (Honestly, I always laugh at the last morbid moments of the IV movement. What with the juxtaposition of sudden... well... tumbling... and joyous horns.) That isn't to say the other three movements aren't any fun to listen to, but the last two stand out in this recording. By far this is the biggest, and best controlled, version I've ever heard, and I've heard quite a few good ones, and a few that are disgraceful and should only be used by means of torturing in bad taste.

Or, if you're looking for some interesting "classical" music, STEP AWAY FROM THE YANNI or lame wannabe Debussys... also that non-stop italian singing in Opera may be a bit much for you right now. Just perk up to the last track of this cd, where Bernstein explains the piece, and, in precise detail, Berlioz's notes for understanding what's going on in this explicit program symphony. It's not too hard to follow, and actually quite enjoyable while attentively listening. The Symphony I mean, Bernstein's voice scares me to no end. (kidding!)

Tracks:

Overture
Hungarian March
Royal Hunt And Storm
I: Reveries, Passions: Largo - Allegro Agitato E Appassionato Assai
II: Un Bal: Valse. Allegro Non Troppo
III: Scene Aux Champs: Adagio
IV: Marche Au Supplice: Allegretto Non Troppo
V: Songe D'Une Nuit Du Sabbat: Larghetto/Allegro/Allegro Assai/Allegro/Un Peu Retenu/(Ronde Du Sabbat) - Animez Un Peu

Customer Reviews:

Classic Karajan.......2003-07-31

Once upon a time, in the days before the advent of stereo, this account of Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique by Herbert von Karajan and the Philharmonia Orchestra was regarded as the definitive recording. Of course this 1954 performance was supplanted shortly by Charles Munch's stereo version on RCA, but today it remains, along with Van Beinum's (which was recently included in his "Original Masters" boxed set -- see my review), as a jewel of the great, late mono era. The remaining Berlioz pieces by Karajan and the Philharmonia are all in stereo, recorded in 1958 & '59. All of the Karajan Edition EMI CDs seem to be succumbing slowly to the silent deletion axe, so interested parties should act fast to acquire this title.

Average customer rating:

One of the better Symphony Fantastiques

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, etc.

Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000DO26
Release Date: 1989-06-16

Customer Reviews:

One of the better Symphony Fantastiques.......2006-02-28

I mostly wanted to tell your customers that they should go for the Symphony Fantastique by Cluytens on entry number one (it's the same exact recording), or four entries above this, because it's like $5.60 cheaper with three other tracks by Guilini, and Barbirolli, which are very probably played better than the extra pieces on this particular disc, which are played by Fremaux.

Berlioz: La Marseillaise; Symphonie fantastique; Ravel: Boléro; Rapsodie espagnole; Etc.

Average customer rating:

Berlioz: La Marseillaise; Symphonie fantastique; Ravel: Boléro; Rapsodie espagnole; Etc.

Manufacturer: Teldec
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00004SCXT
Release Date: 2000-09-12

Tracks:

Hymne Des Marseillais - Placido Domingo/Chicago Sym Chor/Duaine Wolfe
Sym Fantastique, Op.14: Reveries - Passion
Sym Fantastique, Op.14: Un Bal
Sym Fantastique, Op.14: Scene Aux Champs
Sym Fantastique, Op.14: Marche Au Supplice
Sym Fantastique, Op.14: Songe D'une Nuit Du Sabbat

Tracks:

Daphnis Et Chloe: Deuxieme Ste: Lever Du Jour - Pantomine - Danse Generale - Donald Peck
Rhap Espagnole: I. Prld
Rhap Espagnole: II. Malaguena
Rhap Espagnole: III. Habanera
Rhap Espagnole: IV. Feria
Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte
Alborada Del Gracioso
Bolero

Music Review:

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