Search - Hector Berlioz, Colin Davis, London Symphony Orchestra :: Berlioz: Requiem; Symphonie funèbre et triomphale

It's back, ladies and gentleman

Samuel Stephens | TN, USA | 10/18/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Here is reissued the recording that got me to love Berlioz's music. For a long time now I have sought after this recording (before I had only borrowed it from the library), and finally here it is once again.

It contains two extraordinary Berlioz works. The first is, of course, the monumental Requiem. And here monumental is not merely an accolade, it is reality. What we have here sonically is an earth-shattering performance that makes you realize that Berlioz REALLY MEANT what he said. But the earth-shattering scenarios weren't Berlioz's only concern. His quiet moments are as dominent, such as the Quid sum miser, which Schumann says brought tears to his eyes.

The other great work on here is Berlioz's OTHER Symphonie F. The Grande Symphonie funebre et triomphale. It was written for French Military band, so if you find the pervasive mood to be 'marchful'...well yes, exactly. Wagner once said that to hear this symphony, one should feel proud to be a frenchman. Well yes, exactly."

Beauty and Brilliance Throughout.

OperaOnline.us | Boston, MA | 07/23/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The works of Hector Berlioz are always exciting and are worthy of presentation on a grand scale. From his operas to his larger symphonic pieces there is always a sense of vastness in the orchestra and grandeur in the pieces themselves. There is no exception in these two works on the latest Philips label, The "Requiem" is a beautiful piece with sounds that remind us of "Les Troyens." There is a huge amount of ground covered throughout this ambitious work. Berlioz at one time thought it would be used for the anniversary of the death of Napoleon. He wrote the piece for a large (very large) orchestra and huge chorus to convey the somberness of the anticipated occasion. Throughout the disc you can hear the beauty and brilliance of his thought lines as well as appreciate how he wanted to move toward the conclusion. The same level of attention to detail contained in the "requiem" is, in this writer's opinion, ioncorporated in the structure of the Symphony, giving the overall offering a thematic quality that I found appealing. The disc released by Philips is of a 1970 recording conducted by Sir Colin Davis, leading the London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. Davis keeps the tempo tight and moves the two pieces at a pace that is enjoyable without dragging. The "Requiem" alone is almost an hour-and-a half. Like Verdi's piece of the same name this "Requiem" almost becomes an opera unto itself. As a fan of Berlioz' operatic works I enjoyed this disc and highly recommend it. (JG) This review appeared at OperaOnline.us"

Berlioz: Romantic AND Classicist-with French polish

Joe Anthony (a.k.a. JAG 1) | Massachusetts, USA | 01/15/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Some people may think that the conductor Colin Davis is boring, but I find his approach to Berlioz quite appropriate. Although some conductors (like, say, Leonard Bernstein) may want to really give Berlioz "the works" as the strive to play up the composers wildly imaginative music; what should also be preserved is Berlioz' more sophisticated and delicate side. Berlioz is easy to overplay. Davis' method of understatement does the music justice in that it allows the simple and organic beauty of the Requiem to be heard. Yes, Berlioz was a powerful Romantic, but also something of a classicist with some French polish.



The Requiem itself is a wonderful piece of music, as whatever recording you obtain of it will probably reveal. It is, first of all a very, very, long work that keeps the listener interested through profound solemness, as well as, thoughtful creativity. The second to last movement with tenor solo is quite moving. As the soloist sings "santos", the crashing cymbals gently accentuate. The final movement is also quite mesmerizing as the orchestra lovingly modulates and creates a trance-like atmosphere. It is indeed a moving experience-and I am not much a fan of most requiems!"