Berlioz: Les Troyens

Amazon.com
The epic tale of the fall of Troy haunted Berlioz from childhood and inspired some of his most passionately dramatic, richly colorful music. This is Colin Davis's second recording of Les Troyens, following his (out-of-print) 1969 version. Magnificent though it was, some reckoned that reading lacked something in zip. Here, however, such reservations could never apply. Recorded across several lavishly praised concert performances in London in December 2000, this Troyens has an extraordinary electricity and rhythmic drive.

Ben Heppner combines lyricism with heroic strength as Aeneas, while Michelle de Young as Dido, though not erasing memories of Janet Baker's brilliance in the role, produces a ravishing, creamy sound. Both perhaps lack the last ounce of character (and their French is occasionally flat-vowelled). Petra Lang as Cassandra is attention-grabbing from the start of the opera with her panache and commitment. Also catching the ear are Stephen Milling's granitelike Narbal and Sara Mingardo's bewitching tones as Anna. The LSO gives its magnificent all and the London Symphony Chorus is likewise in terrific form, although some will miss the clear-cut timbre of a full-fledged opera chorus. The ultimate stars, though, are Berlioz and his faithful champion, Davis. --Andrew Green

Berlioz: Les Troyens,Hector Berlioz,Sir Colin Davis,Ben Heppner,Michelle DeYoung,Peter Mattei,London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus,Petra Lang,LSO Live,Classical Music,French Romantic Opera,Opera,Opera/Operetta

---

Average customer rating:

Story Of Berlioz In Words And Music Manufacturer: Vox (Classical) ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gabrieli | Gabrieli, Andrea | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs Under $7 | Concertos | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Concertos | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs Under $7 | Symphonies | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Symphonies | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Symphonies | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Story Of Verdi In Words And Music Story Of Dvorák In Words And Music Story Of Johann Strauss In Words And Music The Story Of Brahms Story Of Wagner In Words And Music ASIN: B000001KDH Release Date: 1995-04-16

Tracks:

1. Benvenuto Cellini, Op. 23: Overture
2. Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14: Scene In The Country
3. Gabrieli: Sacerdos et Pontifex
4. L'Enfance du Christ, Op. 25: Flight Into Egypt: Overture
5. Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14: A Ball
6. Harold In Italy, Op. 16: Scenes Of Joy And Sadness
7. Benvenuto Cellini, Op. 23: Overture
8. Harold In Italy, Op. 16: Serenade
9. Les Troyens: Trojan March (Complete)
10. Reverie And Caprice, Op. 8
11. Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14: Dreams, Passions
12. Lelio, Or The Return To Life, Op. 14b
13. Harold In Italy, Op. 16: Scenes Of Joy
14. Roman Carnival Overture, Op. 9
15. Reverie And Caprice, Op. 8
16. Damnation Of Faust, Op. 24: Hungarian March
17. L'Enfance du Christ, Op. 25: Rest Of The Holy Family
18. L'Enfance du Christ, Op. 25: Flight Into Egypt, Dance
19. Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14: March To The Scaffold
20. Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14: I. Dreams, Passions
21. Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14: II. A Ball
22. Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14: IV. March To The Scaffold
23. Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14: V. Dream Of A Witches' Sabbath

Average customer rating: Sensuality Personified!

The Very Best of Régine Crespin Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Canteloube, Joseph | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Fauré, Gabriel | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Poulenc | Poulenc, Francis | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Robert Schumann | Schumann, Robert | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Legend: Régine Crespin [CD & DVD] Italian Opera Arias Berlioz: Les Nuits d'été; et al / Crespin, Ansermet Very Best of The Very Best of Lucia Popp ASIN: B0006VYEJQ Release Date: 2005-04-26

Tracks:

1. Ils S'Eloignent Enfin...Sombre Foret
2. D'Amour L'Ardente Flamme
3. Les Grecs Ont Disparu...Malheureux Roi!
4. Nous Avons Vu Finir...Chers Tyriens
5. Je Vais Mourir...Adieu, Fiere Cite
6. Ah! Salome! Dans Ce Palais...Il Est Doux, Il Est Bon
7. Je Souffre
8. Mes Cheres Filles, J'Ai Encore A Vous Dire
9. Soir
10. Le Secret
11. Apres Un Reve
12. Clair De Lune
13. Lo Fiolaire
14. Lou Coucut
15. Coeur En Peril
16. Berceuse Creole

Tracks:

1. Einsam In Truben Tagen
2. Euch Luften, Die Mein Klagen
3. Eine Waffe Lass Mich Dir Weisen...Der Manner Sippe
4. Ich Sah Das Kind
5. I. Der Engel
6. II. Stehe Still!
7. III. Im Treibhaus
8. IV. Schmerzen
9. V. Traume
10. I. In Der Fremde
11. II. Intermezzo
12. III. Waldesgesprach
13. Timor Di Me?...D'Amor Sull'Ali Rosee
14. Ecco L'Orrido Campo...Ma Dall'Arido Stelo Divulsa
15. Tu Che Le Vanita
16. D'Art Et D'Amour

Album Description

Details TBA. EMI. 2005.

Customer Reviews:

Sensuality Personified!.......2005-04-27

This is one of the best collections of Regine Crespin. Of course, her Berlioz/Ravel set with Ansermet is definitive, but the beauty and soft womanliness of her voice can be heard in all the selections on this disc. The engineers went for her vocal best and they created a fine collection aptly titled "The Best of..." One would be unduly captious to find Crespin "brittle" of tone here.

It is by now, very difficult to imagine anyone singing "Il est doux" with more apt expression of the line than La Crespin. Wagner's Wesendonk lieder is simply sublime from start to finish and the Faure takes on new meaning. That she is comical, melancholy, fun and happy by turns singles her out. This collection captures all her awesome talent. Underneath it all seems to be a very, if I may, sexual energy.

Crespin must be heard to be believed and the miracle lies in that even her softest tones are really enveloping, never thin. All tones are open and this is why there are enough colors in Regine Crespin's delicious voice to paint the world a thousand times, but it may also be why she infamous for being short and edgy on top but I remind, never here is she such. She is a relaxed singer in superb voice, comfortable in her own olive skin and makes the most out of every word those poets wrote.

The whole collection is unique in pace, style, and voice. It is Regine Crespin...in a nutshell fabulous!

Average customer rating: A Grand Lady, A Grand Collection

Legend: Régine Crespin [CD & DVD] Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Very Best of Régine Crespin Italian Opera Arias Regine Crespin Sings Berlioz, Schumann, Schubert, and Poulenc Berlioz: Les Nuits d'été; et al / Crespin, Ansermet Songs by Mahler, Handel & Peter Lieberson ASIN: B0009275XO Release Date: 2005-07-19

Tracks:

1. I. Der Engel
2. II. Stehe Still!
3. III. Im Treibhaus
4. IV. Schmerzen
5. V. Traume
6. Einsam In Truben Tagen
7. Euch Luften, Die Mein Klagen
8. Eine Waffe Lass Mich Dir Weisen
9. Ich Sah Das Kind
10. Dich, Teure Halle
11. Allmacht'ge Jungfrau
12. D'Amour L'Ardente Flamme
13. Nous Avons Vu Finir... Chers Tyriens
14. Ah, Je Vais Mourir... Adieu, Fiere Cite

Customer Reviews:

A Grand Lady, A Grand Collection.......2005-09-28

Few who have had the privilege of seeing and hearing Régine Crespin in person will be able to pass this fine album by. A beautiful voice, a beautiful presence, an intelligent and sensitive mind all informed her singing whether on the grand stages of opera or in recitals. Who could ever forget her inimitable Berlioz' 'Les Nuits d'été or Ravel's 'Shéhérazade'? Indeed, Crespin is a legend.

In this very fine album we hear a stunning 'Wesendonck Lieder' of Wagner with Georges Prêtre conducting the Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Française. While some singers find these songs matronly Crespin infuses the poems with frail and tender love. Staying with Wagner (she was after all a reigning Sieglinde in her day) she offers arias from 'Lohengrin', 'Die Walküre', 'Parsifal', and 'Tannhäuser' (with Otto Ackermann
conducting the Orchestre du Théâtre National de l'Opéra de Paris)
demonstrating that this very French singer could produce a huge sound that easily sails over Wagner's orchestration. Finally she is heard in Berlioz' 'Les Troyens' and 'La Damnation de Faust' (again with Otto Ackermann). There is not a weak moment in these selections.

Included with this CD is a well-produced DVD of Crespin singing French art songs, showing the poise and involvement she brought to every performance. This is a treasureable package and certainly commands the respect of the title 'Legend. It is brilliant! Highly recommended. Grady Harp, September 05

Average customer rating: La Marseillaise All This Music Is Better Served Elsewhere The production of a music genius Wake up music A middle of the pack offering--nothing magic, nothing tragic

Berlioz: La Marseillaise - Love Scene from Roméo & Juliet - The Damnation of Faust, Three Excerpts, etc... / McNair, Leech, Zinman Hector Berlioz , Baltimore Symphony Orchestra & Chorus , Sylvia McNair , Richard Leech , and David Zinman Manufacturer: Telarc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Baltimore Symphony Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Opera & Vocal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music $7.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Berlioz: Roméo et Juliette; Le Troyens à Carthage Brahms, Tchaikovsky: Violin Concertos [Hybrid SACD] Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Stravinsky: Song of the Nightingale [Hybrid SACD] The Good Shepherd (Widescreen Edition) The Departed (Two-Disc Special Edition) ASIN: B000003CUS Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Benvenuto Cellini: Overture
2. Love Scene
3. Minuet Of The Will-O'-The-Wisps
4. Dance Of The Sylphs
5. Rakoczy March
6. Le Corsaire Overture
7. Les Troyens: Trojan March
8. Royal Hunt & Storm
9. La Marseillaise

Customer Reviews:

La Marseillaise.......2007-07-17

This is a rather boring performance of the Berlioz version of La Marseillaise with poor recording quality. I ended up giving this CD to GoodWill. For the Hector Berlioz version of La Marseillaise, I would recommend the performance by the Chicago Symphony under the direction of Daniel Barenboim. If you are looking for a rousing performance of La Marseillaise (not the Berlioz version), look for the performance by Mireille Mathieu, which you can find on the web.

All This Music Is Better Served Elsewhere.......2006-05-04

On paper at least, this seems like an attractive sampler. And it is, as far as the music is concerned. These bits and pieces are some of the most inspired music from Berlioz's long masterworks for voices and orchestra such as Damnation de Faust, Romeo et Juliette, Les Troyens, and Benvenuto Cellini. In sterling performances, they're really enlivening music. Here, for a variety of reasons, they don't make the impact they usually do. First of all, Zinman, whom I usually admire, doesn't seem to warm up to the music. Maybe it's not his cup of tea--more of a Beethoven-and-contemporary music man, based on the stuff I've heard that he does really well. Also, as recorded here, the Baltimore Symphony doesn't seem to have the heft for Berlioz's dazzling orchestral display. Next to, say, the Montreal Symphony, which has done a lot of this music very successfully on disc, the Baltimore is lacking.

Then, as I suggest, a large part of the problem is the recording. Telarc's legendary recording technique don't seem to translate well to the Meyerhoff Hall, at least not in this recording; there's even some distortion in thickly scored passages. Argo/Decca got the measure of the hall better in their later and far more successful recordings from Baltimore.

So I say, shop around. You'll do far better with Dutoit, Davis, Nagano, Plasson, Nelson, et al.

The production of a music genius.......2005-08-06

Really really terrific!
I prefer to do not say more... terrific!

Wake up music.......2001-03-18

This is a good CD but not a great one. Mr. Zinman gives a decent rendition of some of the French "classics" and the Baltimore symphony is up to the task. In the defense of Mr. Zinman one must recognize that there is probably no real good way to play Berlioz. But the real value of this CD is to introduce one to Berlioz who still today does not rate as high as one would like; not to mention its status of "only one opus composer" that the Symphonie Fantastique seems to give him sometimes. The inclusion of Berlioz transcription of the Marseillaise is a curious touch. Berlioz tried to dignify what was after all a soldiers motivational anthem to go and kill into a more respectable piece suitable for a serious country. Nice try. However it is still an interesting and hyperactive piece and if we must listen to it on occasion we might as well do it here. In sum, here we have a nice mix that can be played as background music when we need to be energized.

A middle of the pack offering--nothing magic, nothing tragic.......2001-02-17

If you've heard Toscanini's snappy Rakozcy March, then the lumbering version on this disc will just leave you frustrated. The Marseillaise here is pretty turgid, too. Not much else leaves even that much of a lasting impression. Okay if you can get it budget-priced.

Average customer rating: Painless and Pleasant

Opera for People Who Hate Opera Manufacturer: Intersound Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Borodin | Borodin, Alexander | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Flotow | Flotow, Friedrich von | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Glinka | Glinka, Mikhail | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Kodály, Zoltán | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Leoncavallo | Leoncavallo, Ruggiero | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mascagni | Mascagni, Pietro | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Offenbach | Offenbach, Jacques | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Smetana | Smetana, Bedrich | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Strauss Jr., Johann | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sullivan | Sullivan, Arthur | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Bargain Box Sets | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Bargain Box Sets | Opera & Vocal General | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Opera & Vocal General | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: Classical Music for People Who Hate Classical Music Beethoven: Triple Concerto; Brahms: Double Concerto ASIN: B000003QWI Release Date: 1994-06-09

Tracks:

1. Ride Of The Valkyries - San Diego Symphony Orchestra
2. Vesti La Giubba - Jose Perez
3. Intermezzo - London Festival Orchestra
4. Overture - London Festival Orchestra
5. Prelude - Philharmonia Orchestra Of London
6. Aragonaise - Philharmonia Orchestra Of London
7. Seguedille - Philharmonia Orchestra Of London
8. Bohemian Dance - Philharmonia Orchestra Of London
9. The Toreador Song - Philharmonia Orchestra Of London
10. Polovstian Dances 8 And 17 - Ljubljana Radio Symphony Orchestra
11. Pace, Pace Mio Dio - Leontyne Price
12. Overture - London Philharmonic Orchestra
13. Barcarolle - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
14. Gypsy Chorus - Bavarian Festival Orchestra And Chorus
15. Royal Hunt And Storm - Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra
16. O Mio Babbino Caro - Ljiljan Molnar-Talajic

Tracks:

1. Overture - Utah Symphony Orchestra
2. Questo A Quella - Jose Perez
3. Un Bei Di - Vanda Gerlovic
4. Che Gelida Manina - Jose Perez
5. Overture - Utah Symphony Orchestra
6. Ach, So Fromm - Jose Perez
7. Overture And Prelude - Ljubljana Radio Symphony Orchestra
8. Visi D'arte - Leontyne Price
9. Celeste, Aida - Jose Perez
10. Triumphal March - Jose Perez
11. Ballet Music - Jose Perez
12. The Viennese Musical Clock - Dallas Symphony Orchestra
13. Overture - London Symphony Orchestra
14. We Sail The Ocean - Rochester Philharmonic Chorus
15. I'm Called Little Buttercup - Rochester Philharmonic Chorus
16. When I Was A Lad - Rochester Philharmonic Chorus
17. Never Mind The Why And Wherefore - Rochester Philharmonic Chorus

Tracks:

1. La Donna E Mobile - Jose Perez
2. Prelude - Slavonic Philharmonic Orchestra
3. Servantsd Chorus - Ljubljana Radio Chorus
4. Mon Coer S' Ouvre A Ta Voix - Marijana Radev
5. Waltz - Vienna Folk Opera Orchestra
6. A Wand'ring Minstrel, I - Rochester Philharmonic Chorus
7. Three Little Maids - Rochester Philharmonic Chorus
8. Here's A How-De-Do - Rochester Philharmonic Chorus
9. Beauty In The Bellow - Rochester Philharmonic Chorus
10. He's Gone And Married Yum-Yum - Rochester Philharmonic Chorus
11. Overture - Philharmonia Orchestra Of London
12. Waltz - Houston Symphony Orchestra
13. Peasants' Chorus - Nuremberg Symphony Chorus
14. Overture - Philharmonia Orchestra Of London
15. E Strano E Strano - Biserka Cvejic
16. Overture - Philharmonia Orchestra Of London

Tracks:

1. Overture - Utah Symphony Orchestra
2. Bridal Chorus - Ljubljana Radio Symphony Chorus
3. Overture - London Festival Orchestra
4. Pour, O Pour The Pirate Sherry - Rochester Philharmonic Chorus
5. Oh, Better Far To Live And Die - Rochester Philharmonic Chorus
6. I Am The Very Model Of A Modern Major General - Rochester Philharmonic Chorus
7. When The Foeman Bares His Steel - Rochester Philharmonic Chorus
8. With Cat-Like Tread - Rochester Philharmonic Chorus
9. Summertime - Leontyne Price
10. Overture - London Festival Orchestra
11. Contro Un Cor - Rita Noel
12. Overture - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

Painless and Pleasant.......2000-08-19

It's not that I hate opera, it's rather that I cannot handle and entire opera without nodding off. This 4 disc CD provides highlights from the most famous and recognizable arias, i.e., Pagliacci, Carmen, Rigoletto, Madame Butterfly, La Boheme, The Mikado, and H.M.S. Pinafore -- just to mention a few. I appreciate the ability to enjoy select arias from some of the most beautiful and and exceptional operas in the world, and played by first class orchestras, without having to sit through the entire opera.

Average customer rating: Great Opera, best performance of disc Grand Berlioz A bargain version that may be better than Davis's original A Ravishing Performance Best ever

Berlioz: Les Troyens Ben Heppner , London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus , and Petra Lang Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi USA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Tchaikovsky - Eugene Onegin / Hvorostovsky · Focile · Shicoff · Borodina · Arkhipova · Orchestre de Paris · Bychkov Purcell: Dido and Aeneas / James, Lewis, Baker, Herincx Britten - Billy Budd / Keenlyside · Langridge · John Tomlinson · LSO · Hickox Gounod: Romeo Et Juliette Verdi - Simon Boccanegra / Freni, Cappuccilli, Carreras, Ghiaurov, van Dam, Foiani, Teatro alla Scala, Abbado ASIN: B000063DQA Release Date: 2002-01-30

Tracks:

1. Act One, No.1 Chor: Ha, Ha! Apres Dix Ans - London Sym Chor/Stephen Westrop
2. Act One, No.2 Recitative And Aria: Les Grecs Ont Disparu! - Petra Lang
3. Act One, No.2 Recitative And Aria: Malheureux Roi! - Petra Lang
4. Act One, No.3 Duet: C'est Lui! - Petra Lang
5. Act One, No.3 Cavatina: Reviens A Toi, Vierge Adoree!/Pauvre Ame Egaree!/Si Tu M'aimes, Va-t'en... - Peter Mattei/Petra Lang
6. Act One, No.4 March And Hymn: Dieux Protecteurs De La Ville Eternelle - London Sym Chor/Stephen Westrop
7. Act One, No.5 Gauntelet Combat - Wrestlers' Dance - LSO/Sir Colin Davis
8. Act One, No.6 Pantomime - London Sym Chor/Stephen Westrop/Petra Lang
9. Act One, No.7 Recitative: Du Peuple Et Des Soldats - Ben Heppner
10. Act One, No.8 Octet And Double Chor: Chaitment Effroyable! - Alan Ewing/Tigran Martirossian/Peter Mattei/Ben Heppner/Bulent Bezduz/Petra Lang/Isabelle Cals...
11. Act One, No.9 Recitative And Chor: Que La Deesse Nous Protege - Ben Heppner/Alan Ewing/Michelle DeYoung/Petra Lang/Sara Mingardo/Peter Mattei/Stephen Milling...
12. Act One, No.10 Aria: Non, Je Ne Verrai Pas La Deplorable Fete - Petra Lang
13. Act One, No.11 Finale (Trojan March): De Mes Sens Eperdus - Petra Lang/London Sym Chor/Stephen Westrop

Tracks:

1. Act Two, Scene 1, No.12 Scene And Recitative: Intro - LSO/Sir Colin Davis
2. Act Two, Scene 1, No.12 Scene And Recitative: Intro - LSO/Sir Colin Davis
3. Act Two, Scene 1, No.12 Scene And Recitative: Intro: O Lumiere De Troie!/Ah!...Fuis, Fils De Venus - Ben Heppner/Orlin Anastassov
4. Act Two, Scene 1, No.13 Recitative And Chor: Quelle Esperance Encor Est Permise - Ben Heppner/Tigran Martirossian/Isabelle Cals/Peter Mattei
5. Act Two, Scene 2, No.14 Chor (Prayer): Ha, Puissante Cybele - London Sym Chor/Stephen Westrop
6. Act Two, Scene 2, No.15 Recitative And Chor: Tous Ne Periront Pas/Oh Digne Soeur D'Hector - Petra Lang/London Sym Chor/Stephen Westrop
7. Act Two, Scene 2, No.16 Finale: Complices De Sa Gloire/Le Tresor! Le Tresor! - London Sym Chor/Stephen Westrop/Petra Lang/Mark Stone
8. Act Three, No.17 Chor: De Carthage Les Cieux - London Sym Chor/Stephen Westrop
9. Act Three, No.18 Nat Anthem: Gloire A Didon - London Sym Chor/Stephen Westrop
10. Act Three, No.19 Recitative And Aria: Nous Avons Vu Finir Sept And A Peine - Michelle DeYoung/London Sym Chor/Stephen Westrop
11. Act Three, No.19 Recitative And Aria: Chers Tyriens - LSO/Sir Colin Davis
12. Act Three, No.20 Entry Of The Builders - LSO/Sir Colin Davis
13. Act Three, No.21 Entry Of The Sailors - LSO/Sir Colin Davis
14. Act Three, No.22 Entry Of The Farm-Workers - LSO/Sir Colin Davis
15. Act Three, No.23 Recitative And Chor: Peuple! Tous Les Honneurs - Michelle DeYoung/London Sym Chor/Stephen Westrop
16. Act Three, No.24 Recitative And Duet: Les Chants Joyeux - Michelle DeYoung/Sara Mingardo
17. Act Three, No.25 Recitative And Aria: Echappes A Grand Peine - Kenneth Tarver/Michelle DeYoung
18. Act Three, No.25 Recitative And Aria: Errante Sur Les Mers - Michelle DeYoung
19. Act Three, No.26 Trojan March (In The Minor Mode): J'Eprouve Une Souldaine Et Vive Impatience - Michelle DeYoung
20. Act Three, No.27 Recitative: Auguste Reine, Un Peuple Errant Et Malheureux - Isabelle Cals/Michelle DeYoung/Tigran Martirossian
21. Act Three, No.28 Finale: J'Ose A Peine Annoncer La Terrible Nouvelle!/Reine! Je Suis Enee!... - Stephen Milling/Michelle DeYoung/London Sym Chor/Stephen Westrop/Ben Heppner/Petra Lang...

Tracks:

1. Act Four, Scene 1, No.29 Royal Hunt And Storm (Pantomime) - LSO/Sir Colin Davis
2. Act Four, Scene 2, No.30 Recitative: Dites, Narbal, Qui Cause Vos Alarmes? - Sara Mingardo/Stephen Milling
3. Act Four, Scene 2, No.31 Aria: De Quels Revers Menaces-tu Carthage - Stephen Milling
4. Act Four, Scene 2, No.31 Cavatina: Vaine Terreur - Sara Mingardo
5. Act Four, Scene 2, No.31 Aria And Cavatina: De Quels Revers Menaces-tu Carthage - Stephen Milling/Sara Mingardo
6. Act Four, Scene 2, No.32 March For The Entry Of The Queen - LSO/Sir Colin Davis
7. Act Four, Scene 2, No.33.Ballets: Dance Of The Egyptian Dancing Girls - LSO/Sir Colin Davis
8. Act Four, Scene 2, No.33.Ballets: Dance Of The Slaves - LSO/Sir Colin Davis
9. Act Four, Scene 2, No.33.Ballets: Dance Of The Nubian Slave Girls - LSO/Sir Colin Davis
10. Act Four, Scene 2, No.34.Scene And Iopas' Song: Assez, Ma Soeur - Michelle DeYoung
11. Act Four, Scene 2, No.34.Scene And Iopas' Song: O Blonde Ceres - Kenneth Tarver
12. Act Four, Scene 2, No.35 Recitative And Qnt: Pardonne, Iopas - Michelle DeYoung/Ben Heppner
13. Act Four, Scene 2, No.35 Recitative And Qnt: O Pudeur! Tout Conspire - Michelle DeYoung/Ben Heppner/Sara Mingardo/Kenneth Tarver/Stephen Milling
14. Act Four, Scene 2, No.36 Recitative And Sept: Mais Bannissons Ces Tristes Souvenirs - Ben Heppner
15. Act Four, Scene 2, No.36 Recitative And Sept: Tout N'est Que Paix Et Charme - Michelle DeYoung/Ben Heppner/Isabelle Cals/Sara Mingardo/Kenneth Tarver/Stephen Milling...
16. Act Four, Scene 2, No.37 Duet: Nuit D'ivresse Et D'extase Infinie! - Michelle DeYoung/Ben Heppner/Leigh Melrose

Tracks:

1. Act Five, Scene 1, No.38 Hylas Song: Vallon Sonore - Toby Spence/Andrew Greenan/Roderick Earle
2. Act Five, Scene 1, No.39 Recitative And Chor: Preparez Tout, Il Faut Partir Enfin/Chaque Jour... - Tigran Martirossian/London Sym Chor/Stephen Westrop
3. Act Five, Scene 1, No.40 Duet: Par Bacchus! Ils Sont Fous Avec Leur Italie! - Andrew Greenan/Roderick Earle
4. Act Five, Scene 1, No.41 Recitative And Aria: Inutiles Regrets! - Ben Heppner
5. Act Five, Scene 1, No.41 Recitative And Aria: Ah! Quand Viendra L'instant Des Supremes Adieux - Ben Heppner
6. Act Five, Scene 1, No.42 Scene: Enee! - London Sym Chor/Stephen Westrop/Ben Heppner
7. Act Five, Scene 1, No.43 Scene And Chor: Debout, Troyens, Eveillez-vous, Alerte!/Alerts!... - Ben Heppner/London Sym Chor/Stephen Westrop
8. Act Five, Scene 1, No.44: Duo And Chor: Errante Sur Tes Pas - Michelle DeYoung/Ben Heppner
9. Act Five, Scene 1, No.44: Duo And Chor: Italie! - Ben Heppner/London Sym Chor/Stephen Westrop
10. Act Five, Scene 2, No.45 Scene: Va, Ma Soeur, L'implorer - Michelle DeYoung/Sara Mingardo
11. Act Five, Scene 2, No.46 Scene: En Mer, Voyez! Six Vaisseaux! - London Sym Chor/Stephen Westrop/Kenneth Tarver/Michelle DeYoung/Sara Mingardo/Stephen Milling
12. Act Five, Scene 2, No.47 Monologue: Ah! Ah! Je Vais Mourir - Michelle DeYoung
13. Act Five, Scene 2, No.48 Aria: Adieu, Fiere Cite - Michelle DeYoung
14. Act Five, Scene 3, No.49 Ceremony For The Dead: Dieux De L'oubli', Dieux Du Tenare - London Sym Chor/Stephen Westrop/Sara Mingardo/Stephen Milling
15. Act Five, Scene 3, No.50 Scene: Pluton...Semble M'etre Propice... - Michelle DeYoung
16. Act Five, Scene 3, No.51 Chor: Ah! Au Secours! Au Secours! La Reine S'est Frappee! - Ben Heppner/Michelle DeYoung/Petra Lang/Sara Mingardo/Peter Mattei/Stephen Milling/Kenneth Tarver...
17. Act Five, Scene 3, No.52 Imprecation: Rome...Rome...Immortelle!/Haine Eternelle A La Race D'enee! - Michelle DeYoung/London Sym Chor/Stephen Westrop

Amazon.com

The epic tale of the fall of Troy haunted Berlioz from childhood and inspired some of his most passionately dramatic, richly colorful music. This is Colin Davis's second recording of Les Troyens, following his (out-of-print) 1969 version. Magnificent though it was, some reckoned that reading lacked something in zip. Here, however, such reservations could never apply. Recorded across several lavishly praised concert performances in London in December 2000, this Troyens has an extraordinary electricity and rhythmic drive.

Ben Heppner combines lyricism with heroic strength as Aeneas, while Michelle de Young as Dido, though not erasing memories of Janet Baker's brilliance in the role, produces a ravishing, creamy sound. Both perhaps lack the last ounce of character (and their French is occasionally flat-vowelled). Petra Lang as Cassandra is attention-grabbing from the start of the opera with her panache and commitment. Also catching the ear are Stephen Milling's granitelike Narbal and Sara Mingardo's bewitching tones as Anna. The LSO gives its magnificent all and the London Symphony Chorus is likewise in terrific form, although some will miss the clear-cut timbre of a full-fledged opera chorus. The ultimate stars, though, are Berlioz and his faithful champion, Davis. --Andrew Green

Customer Reviews:

Great Opera, best performance of disc.......2007-01-09

I enjoyed this version more than Davis' old version. Casandre is stunning in her opening aria and the sound is wonderful. Hepner is slightly an odd choice for the role but all others are great(and i do love hepner)

Grand Berlioz.......2006-12-27

Berlioz' monumental opera, "Les Troyens" opens with the false gift of the Trojan horse from the Greeks to the Trojans which results in the fall of Troy. But Berlioz' opera, in contrast to the Trojan horse, is a true and lasting gift. We are fortunate that it is available to be heard and enjoyed. Little known and little performed for many years, the opera came into its own only in the mid-20th Century. Sir Colin Davis has probably done more than any other conductor to champion "Les Troyens" and Berlioz' other large-scale masterworks. He has recorded the work twice, first in the late 1960s and again in 2000 in a live performance with the London Symphony Orcehstra. It is this second version, which won two Grammy awards and sells at a lesser price than the first version, that I am reviewing here. Opinions vary regarding the respective merits of the two recordings. Whichever you choose, this is grand, dramatic and essential music, and you must hear it. I would like to give a little background on the work.

"Les Troyens" is a long, complex and massive work which Berlioz (1803 -- 1869) completed in 1858. (The opera covers 4 CDs and runs four hours.) Berlioz wrote both the liberetto and the music for his opera, with the goal of integrating the drama of the story with the music. In the way he approached opera, Berlioz followed the path of his musical hero, Gluck, the great 18th Century operatic reformer. At the age of 18, Berlioz was inspired to become a composer with he heard a performance of Gluck's "Iphigienie in Tauris". Berlioz is responsible for rearrangements of several Gluck operas, including "Orpheus". While working on "Les Troyens" Berlioz wrote that "if Gluck were to return to earth and hear it, he would say of me 'this is my son'". In its five-act format, in the expansive, passionate character of the music, in the marches, dances, and pantomines, and its grand, classical theme, and in the connection of liberetto, Berlioz' opera shows him indeed as a "son" and great successor of Gluck.

Berlioz' liberetto for "Les Troyens" reflects his great love of Virgil's Aeneid. The first two acts of the opera tell the story of the fall of Troy, through the Trojan Horse, the death of the prophet Cassandra, and the escape of Aeneas. The final three acts of the opera tell the story of Dido and Aeneas, as Aeneas and his men land in the growning city of Carthage. Aeneas's men help the Trojans fend off an invasion, but, more importantly, Aeneas and the Trojan queen Dido fall in love. The gods demand that Aeneas leave Dido and Carthage and proceed to Italy to found Rome. Heartbroken and furious, Dido curses Aeneas, builds a huge pyre, and kills herself.

"Les Troyens" requires a large cast to perform, and the music is of endless scope and variety. Aeneas is the only character that is prominent in both parts. In both sections of the opera, passionate roles are given to the women leads. In the first two acts, Cassandra prophecies fruitlessly, sings of her unconsummated love for Chorebe, her fiance, and commits suicide with many Trojan women rather than be slaves to the Greeks. The second part of the opera belongs to Dido, as she sings passionately of her love for Aeneas and with terrible and everlasting fury upon her betrayal. Berlioz obviously loved his character. Aeneas is a virtuoso role, with many long taxing and high vocal passages.

There is music of martial glory, tragedy, love, peace, anger, and even humor throughout "Les Troyens." The ghosts of Hector and Cassandra appear and play important roles in the development of the story. I found the performance of the cast in this recording, with tenor Ben Heppner as Aeneas, mezzo-soprano Michelle DeYoung as Dido, and mezzo-soprano Petra Lang as Cassandre outstanding. I thought DeYoung's Dido was particualy impressive.

"Les Troyens" is great music indeed. The opera is the culmination of Berlioz' work as a composer and a tribute to Gluck, If you love music, you should get to know "Les Troyens". This recording is an excellent way to do so.

Robin Friedman

A bargain version that may be better than Davis's original.......2005-10-01

I am basically echoing the praise already lavished on this live recording of Berlioz's operatic masterpiece. The coupling of Heppner and DeYoung gives us a pair of lovers who are vocally more lyrical by far than Veasey and vickers on the classic studio recording of Troyens that Davis made 35 years ago.

But I have another point to make. On stage the first art of the opera, the scenes set in Troy before the city falls and aeneas flees to carthage, work very well, helped by the visual impact of crowd scenes and the appearance of the Trojan horse, Without visual aid, the Trojan scenes feel interminable, especially in the long, wearing monolgoues given to Cassandra.

The real musical delights are in Part II, so it's very nice to have a bargain issue. You can skip without guilt over Part I and delight in the magic and romance of the Carthage scenes. At least that's what I did after the first listen through.

A Ravishing Performance.......2005-05-21

From the opening bars, this Les Troyens announces the confidence that experience with Berlioz' opera has given Sir Colin Davis. The energy and drive given to the music is a reflection of the entire reading. After the chorus has finished rejoicing that the war is over Petra Lang sings her first lines as Cassandra, making an impressive entrance casting gloom over the joy of the Trojans. Ms Lang has an expressive and beautiful voice that makes her a top choice for the role. Her duet with Chorebus (Peter Mattei) is perfect in the building of dramatic tension as Cassandra describes the impending fall of Troy. Michelle De Young has a rich and full voice that is well-suited to Dido. Like Petra Lang she has a "presence" on this recording that makes you believe she is a queen. This is especially true in act 3 where Dido is being lauded as a wise ruler. Ben Heppner has sung the role of Aeneas at the Met more recently and he is every inch the heroic tenor that is demanded by the role.

My first Les Troyens was the Dutoit version which is superbly played and sung except for the weak voice of Gary Lakes. However, Mr. Lakes nicely projects the heroic image necessary for Aeneas but his voice was so wobbly that it was the defects that I recalled and not when he was singing at his best. Ben Heppner fills the role of lyric hero perfectly and has the voice to sing the part, particularly in his scene 41 aria where Aeneas has a high note that Mr. Lakes struggled to reach. Stephen Milling in the role of Narbal has great command of his part and it is a pleasure to hear him sing his fourth act duet with Michelle De Young. There are important arias for the smaller roles in the opera. Iopas' aria in the fourth act is ravishingly sung by Kenneth Tarver and the beautiful and haunting aria of Hylas, longing for home, that opens the fifth act is superbly sung by Toby Spence. It is sad to think that Hylas' beautiful music was cut from the first performances of the opera.

I am not familiar with Colin Davis' 1969 recording but comparing this recording to the Dutoit I found the tempos to be close. The London Symphony Orchestra plays beautifully and responds to the demands of the score with enthusiasm. The Royal Hunt and Storm music is played with great feeling as are the memorable dances later in the fourth act. The recording is clear and nicely balanced. Like the Dutoit recording, the Davis shows us what a masterpiece Hector Berlioz wrote. The opera had to wait over a hundred years to be appreciated but its time has definitely come.

Best ever.......2004-08-04

'Les Grecs ont disparu' !!
Have you ever heard a singer opening her performance like Petra Lang does it in this recording ? And this superbe quality maintains during the 4 hours of this magnificent opera.
When I bought this album, I didn't knew Les Troyens at all, and I was afraid of the length of the mammout work, but what a revelation !
An unbelievable work (one of the best opera-scores in history, I think) but what an impressive recording this set also makes !
I always considered Colin Davis being kind of a dull grey conductor, but this image must be adapted with this recording. And as said all the soloists perform top-rate. There are simply no weak links.
I had the opportunity to see the opera last year in Amsterdam, also with Petra Lang as Cassandra and Edo De Waart conducting. And seeing Lang performing live, it made the same impression as on disc. She is really becoming the best mezzo since Waltraud Meier.
This 'Les Troyens'-recording can be considered as one of the best opera-recordings ever. Just buy and listen with your eyes closed!



Sven De Boeck (Flanders, Belgium)

Average customer rating: Marches - CD 1

Marches: The Greatest Hits Manufacturer: Compendia ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Chabrier | Chabrier, Alexis Emanuel | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Elgar | Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Morton Gould | Gould, Morton | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Herbert | Herbert, Victor | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mahler | Mahler, Gustav | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mussorgsky | Mussorgsky, Modest | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sousa | Sousa, John Philip | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Johann Strauss Sr. | Strauss Sr., Johann | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Prokofiev | Prokofiev, Sergei | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Houston Symphony Orchestra | ( H ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Gospel | Compilations | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Jazz | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Stars & Stripes: America's Greatest Hits Marches: Greatest Hits Fiedler's Favorite Marches Tchaikovsky: The Greatest Hits Baroque: The Greatest Hits ASIN: B000003QWZ Release Date: 1994-04-13

Tracks:

1. Ride Of The Valkyries
2. Pictures At An Exhibition - Promenade
3. Aida - Triumphal March
4. The Nutcracker - March
5. Pomp And Circumstance
6. Symphonie Fantastique - March To The Scaffold
7. A Midsummer Night's Dream - Wedding March
8. Symphony No. 9, Choral - Alta Marcia
9. March Militaire No. 1
10. Entry Of The Gladiators
11. Love For Three Oranges - March
12. March Joyeuse
13. Symphony No. 1, Titan - Funeral March
14. Radetsky March
15. National Emblem March
16. The Washington Post

Tracks:

1. Coronation March
2. The Ruins Of Athens - Turkish March
3. Les Troyes - Marche Troyenne
4. Marche Slav
5. Swan Lake - Wedding March
6. Symphony No 3, Eroica - Funeral March
7. Babes in Toyland - March
8. West Side Story - America
9. The Carnival Of The Animals - Introduction And Royal March Of The Lion
10. Carmen - March Of The Toreadors
11. Carmen - March of the Smugglers
12. Colonel Bogey March
13. American Salute
14. Semper Fidelis
15. El Capitan
16. Seventy-Six Trombones
17. Americans We
18. Lassus Trombone
19. The Stars And Stripes

Customer Reviews:

Marches - CD 1.......2006-03-12

Fabulous pieces. It all started with hearing Pomp and Circumstance by Elgar ont he radio...

Average customer rating: Poor mix a fine example of two shining opera stars...... A musical marriage made in heaven! A Nice Collection, But Something's Missing Perfection

Roberto Alagna & Angela Gheorghiu - Duets & Arias Pietro Mascagni , Jules Massenet , Gaetano Donizetti , Jacques Offenbach , Leonard Bernstein , Charles Gounod , Gustave Charpentier , Hector Berlioz , Giacomo Puccini , Richard Armstrong , Roberto Alagna , Angela Gheorghiu , and Covent Garden Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mascagni | Mascagni, Pietro | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Offenbach | Offenbach, Jacques | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Gheorghiu, Angela | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Essential Angela Gheorghiu Puccini Angela Gheorghiu - Arias Diva Roberto Alagna - Opera Arias ASIN: B000002RWA Release Date: 1996-04-23

Tracks:

1. Suzel, boun di...
2. L'amico Fritz, Atto 2: Tutto tace
3. Manon, Acte 3: Je suis seul! . . . Ah, fuyez
4. Toi! Vous! . . . Oui, c'est moi! . . .
5. Manon, Acte 3: N'est-ce plus ma main
6. Anna Bolena, Atto 2: Al dolce guidami castel natio
7. Don Pasquale, Atto 2: Tornami a dir
8. La Belle Helene, Acte 1: Au Mont Ida, trois deesses
9. West Side Story, Act 1: Only you . . .Tonight
10. Il se fait tard . . .
11. Faust, Acte 3: O nuit d'amour
12. Louise, Acte 3: Depuis le jour
13. Les Troyens, Acte 4: Nuit d'ivresse
14. La Boheme, Atto 1: O soave fanciulla

Customer Reviews:

Poor mix .......2006-02-20

There is no climatic piece in the whole album. It appears it was gathered selections...by that I mean, somebody said "oh let's use this one and this one..." The selections just drift from one to the next and carry little emotional impact on this listener. Yet I love Angela, but Roberto is second rate. Overall, not much on here to remember.

a fine example of two shining opera stars.............2005-10-28

How perfect is it that tenor Roberto Alagna and Angela Gheorghiu are a madly in love, married opera couple with voices like angels? I remember when this album first came out in the mid-1990s. At the time, I didn't have a CD player, and their album was a motivation for me to get one, if that says anything about how much I LOVE both of them, as well as the music samples I first heard on NPR.

Alagna's resonance is clear, but, never piercing. Gheorghiu's clean-sounding soprano is expressive, but never shrill, and exhudes a warmth, as well as a softness, when she attacks the really high notes. What sets Roberto Alagna and Angela Gheorghiu apart from the pack of young opera stars is their own original, highly energetic and sincere interpretations of popular opera duets, featured here. They include "Tonight" from West Side Story (which I really wouldn't consider opera, but, more an example of musical theatre), and "O soave fanciulla" from La Boheme. I guarantee that listening to this album will make you fall in love with these two wonderful singers.

A musical marriage made in heaven!.......2003-12-01

In the early 1990s I began following the careers of two immensely talented young singers then on the verge of international stardom. The French tenor Roberto Alagna wowed Covent Garden audiences as Romeo and Rodolfo, and had received rave reviews throughout Europe. The splendid Mimi of Romanian soprano Angela Gheorghiu enlivened an otherwise lackluster 1994 Metropolitan Opera broadcast, and an astounding triumph at Covent Garden as Violetta followed. I had often longed for these two splendid young artists to sing together, and I got my wish in spades when it was publicly announced that they were madly in love - this disc was recorded 6 months before and released in the U.S. 4 days before their real-life marriage. While I and many opera fans are hopeless romantics who are delighted by such things, what really matters is that their VOICES are married. Let's just say that I have heard other singers who are either married or otherwise romantically involved who do not have nearly the rapport that these two people do. They are supremely sensitive to and supportive of each other's artistry and even more importantly, are ultimately the servants of the composer.

Alagna's sweet, warm, earthy tenor and Gheorghiu's velvety, starlit soprano blend so perfectly that it often seems one voice is coming out of two mouths. Nowhere is this more true than on the triumph of the disc, 'Nuit d'ivresse' from Hector Berlioz's 'Les Troyens'. This is a good candidate for the best joint recording they have ever made and is certainly their best individual duet recording. While it is usually sung by a tenor with a heavier voice and a mezzo-soprano, the sheer lyricism of their voices renders this music utterly ravishing - I have never heard this piece sung more beautifully. And how many typical operatic 'love duet' albums would include something this rare? Their 'one voice' quality is also evident in 'Tornami a dir' from 'Don Pasquale', a triumph of heady sweetness, and again, not exactly standard fare. Throughout these selections, and indeed the entire album, we hear superb dynamic sensitivity and gorgeous pianissimo singing, and everything is sung with such dramatic intensity and immersion in character that you think you're hearing a live performance and not a recording. About the only quibble I have is that Alagna's diction in both French and Italian is so perfect that Gheorghiu's comes up a bit short by comparison.

The Cherry Duet from 'L'Amico Fritz' which begins the album is full of sweet affection and wistfulness. In the Saint Sulpice scene from 'Manon', Gheorghiu is irresistibly seductive and tender and Alagna believably torn between Des Grieux's pain at Manon's betrayal and his love for her. Some may actually prefer this version of the duet to the slightly more 'verismo' and less subtle rendition of their complete recording under Antonio Pappano. The Garden Scene from 'Faust', albeit not quite as intense as in their recent Metropolitan Opera performances, is still a triumph of French style, sensitivity, and drama, again with absolutely gorgeous pianissimo singing, this time at 'Eternelle!'. This should be no surprise to anyone who has heard them sing 'Romeo et Juliette'. And, of course, these masters of Gounod's version of 'Romeo and Juliet' also make something special of Bernstein's. I don't believe I've ever heard 'Tonight' more beautifully and musically sung - and as Gheorghiu pointed out in an interview, this is not 'easy' music to sing. The only problem here is that 'West Side Story' is more about Anglo/Puerto Rican culture clash than about family feuds, and so it hurts somewhat that the singers have the wrong (and more importantly, too similar) accents. Nevertheless, their English is clear and understandable, and as usual they mean every word they sing. The disc concludes with a radiant 'O soave fanciulla', where Rodolfo's and Mimi's romance is off to a tender and teasing start.

In addition to the six duets, each singer has two solo arias. Alagna's first is a splendid 'Ah, fuyez douce image', where he not only begins the aria pianissimo, but he makes more of the words than just about any tenor since Georges Thill. He follows this with a rollicking version of Paris' Entrance from 'La Belle Helene'. While not even Alagna can negotiate the B flat octave leaps with the ease of Jussi Bjorling (in his unsurpassable 1938 Swedish-language recording), he has the considerable advantage of native French speech, and a far better appreciation of the piece's humor. Gheorghiu has surpassed her two solo selections since making this recording - the 'Al dolce guidami' on her 'Casta Diva' bel canto disc and the 'Depuis le jour' on her live Covent Garden recital - but these versions demonstrate her ravishing top, command of legato, and extraordinary emotional expressivity.

Richard Armstrong (the music director of the Scottish Opera, who also conducted Alagna's solo debut album) is with his singers all the way and he has the Covent Garden Orchestra play gorgeously . In particular, his molding of the orchestral line and color in the Berlioz is very impressive. Excellent documentation, with full texts and translations, by British vocal collector John Steane. Although this is focused (as it should be) on the music rather than the singers, there is also brief biographical information on both Alagna and Gheorghiu, which none of their subsequent EMI CDs have had.

In short this album is a triumph from beginning to end and an absolute must for any lover of the human voice, absolutely giving lie to the common whine of 'all the great singers are gone forever'. Of course, you'll also have to buy Alagna's and Gheorghiu's complete opera recordings, their equally stunning Verdi duets CD, and too many individual solo albums to count. Almost anything either of these splendid artists do, separately or together, is worth buying and devouring. They're a Golden Age all by themselves!

A Nice Collection, But Something's Missing.......2003-11-09

Since Roberto Alagna and Angela Gheorghiu are opera's favorite lovebirds, and real life husband and wife, it is not inconceivable that EMI would release a disk of arias and duets featuring the couple. The disk is reasonably good. It has the standard duets such as "O Soave Fanciulla" from LA BOHEME and "The Cherry Duet" from L'AMICO FRITZ as well as a few lesser known pieces that make the disk interesting. The Broadway stage is also included in a duet from Leonard Bernstein's WEST SIDE STORY. As beautiful as Bernstein's music is, it somehow does not fit in this recording. The two do a reasonably good job, both as soloists and together, but the disk lacks power. The two fail to generate the energy on this disk that the two seem to have on television and in video performances. Their acting abilities surpass many "Golden Age" stars, but their music, while technically good, fails to generate the same excitement as a Corelli--Price, Pavarotti--Freni, or a Callas--Di Stefano pairing would generate. None-the-less, the recording is not bad, and it will certainly be pleasing to fans of the two.

Perfection.......2001-12-06

This is lovely from beginning to end. These two singers really know how to put together a recital CD. It's always satisfying no matter how often I listen to it. The selections they sing are well suited to their voices. It's a pleasure. I can't recommend this CD enough. It's truly a shared program with neither one overwhelming the other. They each get their solo turns and the duets are wonderful.

Average customer rating: I am in a Box with Berlioz Box Sets A superb set, well worth the price! all the overtures *NOT* A wonderful collection of Berlioz

Berlioz: Complete Orchestral Works Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Allen, Thomas | ( A ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music Bargain Box Sets | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Bargain Box Sets | Opera & Vocal General | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Opera & Vocal General | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: Liszt: Works for Piano and Orchestra Strauss: Orchestral Works Bruckner: The Complete Symphonies Grieg: Complete Music with Orchestra Debussy, Ravel: Orchestral Works ASIN: B0000041MZ Release Date: 1997-09-16

Tracks:

1. Symphony Fantastique, Op. 14: 1. Rries, Passions (Largo - Allegro agitato ed appassinonato assai)
2. Symphony Fantastique, Op. 14: 2. Un bal (Valse: Allegro non troppo)
3. Symphony Fantastique, Op. 14: 3. Sc aux champs (Adagio)
4. Symphony Fantastique, Op. 14: 4. Marche au supplice (Allegretto non troppo)
5. Symphony Fantastique, Op. 14: 5. Songe d'une nuit du Sabbat (Larghetto - Allegro- Ronde du Sabbat: Poco menu mosso)
6. Tristia, Op 18 (excerpts): 3. Marche fune pour la derni sc d'Hamlet (Allegretto moderato)
7. La Damnation De Faust, Op. 24 (excerpts): Menuet des follets
8. La Damnation De Faust, Op. 24 (excerpts): Marche hongroise

Tracks:

1. Lo ou Le retour a vie, Op. 14b: 1. Le peur (Goethe, Duboys)
2. Lo ou Le retour a vie, Op. 14b: 2. Choeur d'ombres (Berlioz)
3. Lo ou Le retour a vie, Op. 14b: 3. Chanson de brigands (Berlioz)
4. Lo ou Le retour a vie, Op. 14b: 4. Chant de bonheur (Berlioz)
5. Lo ou Le retour a vie, Op. 14b: 5. La harpe ienne - Souvenirs
6. Lo ou Le retour a vie, Op. 14b: 6. Fantasie sur la Temp de Shakespeare (Berlioz)
7. Grande Symphonie fune et triomphale, Op. 15: 1. Marche fune (Moderato un poco lento)
8. Grande Symphonie fune et triomphale, Op. 15: 2. Oraison fune (Adagio non tanto - Andantino un poco lento e sostenuto)
9. Grande Symphonie fune et triomphale, Op. 15: 3. Apothe (Allegro non troppo e pomposo)

Tracks:

1. Harold en Italie, Op.16: 1a. Harold aux montagnes (Adagio)
2. Harold en Italie, Op.16: 1b. Harold aux montagnes (Allegro)
3. Harold en Italie, Op.16: 2. Marche des prins (Allegretto)
4. Harold en Italie, Op.16: 3. Snade (Allegro assai - Allegretto)
5. Harold en Italie, Op.16: 4. Orgie de brigands (Allegro frenetico - Adagio - Allegro, Tempo I)
6. Les Troyens arthage: Prelude From: Les Troyens arthage: Part II, Act III
7. Les Troyens (Act IV): No. 29: Chasse royale et orage - Pantomime
8. Les Troyens (Act IV): No. 32: Marche pour l'entrde la reine; No. 33: Ballets
9. Les Troyens (Act IV): -A: Pas des Alm
10. Les Troyens (Act IV): -B: Danse des esclaves
11. Les Troyens (Act IV): - C: Pas d'esclaves nubiennes
12. Rrie et Caprice, Op.8

Tracks:

1. Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part I, Introduction
2. Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part I, Prologue: 'D'anciennes haines endormies'
3. Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part I, Strophe 1: 'Premiers transports que nul n' oublie'
4. Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part I, Strophe 2: 'Heureux enfants aux coers de flamme'
5. Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part I, Rtatif et Scherzetto: 'Bientot de Romeo' - 'Mab! la messagere' - Bientot la mort est souveraine'
6. Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part II, Romseul - Tristesse - Concert eet bal
7. Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part II, Grande f chez les Capulets
8. Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part III, 'Ohe! Capulets! Bonsoir, bonsoir!'
9. Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part III, Sc d'amour

Tracks:

1. Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part IV, Scherzo: La reine Mab ou la fdes songes
2. Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part IV, Convoi fune de Juliette: 'Jetez des fleurs pour la vierge expiree!'
3. Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part IV, Romau tombeau des Capulets
4. Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part IV, Finale. Choeurs et Rtatif du P Laurence: 'Quo! Romeo de retour!'
5. Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part IV, Finale. Air du P Laurence: 'Pauvres enfants que je pleure' - 'Mais notre sang rougit leur glaive'
6. Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part IV, Finale. Serment de rnciliation: 'Jurez donc'

Tracks:

1. Beatrice et Benedict
2. Benvenuto Cellini
3. Overtures: Le roi Lear, Op. 4
4. Les Francs - juges, Op. 3
5. Waverley, Op. 1
6. Le corsaire, Op. 21
7. Carnaval romain, Op. 9

Amazon.com

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 colorful music, is also very good. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

I am in a Box with Berlioz Box Sets.......2004-02-22

First I ordered Hector Berlioz Complete Orchestral Works (Box Set) in a 6-CD set by Sir Colin Davis because orchestral is what I like best. That was in 2002. Now I have ordered The Berlioz Edition (Box Set)in a 24-CD Box Set by Sir Colin Davis because I like what I have heard of Berlioz by Davis. I will put this up for sale, and if it doesn't go I will consider putting The Berlioz Edition up for sale after I have heard it. As I said I am in a Box with Berlioz Box Sets and can't afford both.

A superb set, well worth the price!.......2002-08-16

For those of us who grew up in the 1950s and '60s, the music of Berlioz means Munch and Toscanini: Munch for his incendiary performances of "Symphonie Fantastique," "Romeo et Juliette," "Damnation of Faust," the Requiem and the overtures (among others), Toscanini primarily for his gorgeous reading of "Harold in Italy" but also for his versions of the Roman Carnival Overture and (for those who could find it) the "Romeo" with Gladys Swarthout. These readings had one thing going for them, which was a rhythmic impetus that made even the slow movements exciting. Unfortunately, for those of us who read scores, when we checked these versions against the music we found that Toscanini and Munch had fiddled a bit with tempi and bowing accents in an attempt to make the music more exciting. Is this so bad? Not necessarily, because these conductors had this music in their blood, they were presenting Berlioz as they had processed him over a lifetime of love, and so their fast tempi had little in common with the rattly, jangly readings often turned out by John Eliot Gardiner.

Sir Colin Davis was, and of this reading remains, the greatest Berlioz interpreter of the stereo/digital era. This is no mean feat when one realizes that he now has several competitors in the field, among them James Levine and Charles Dutoit, but in my view only the wonderful John Nelson (whose recordings of the Te Deum and "Nuits d'Ete" with Susan Graham are so wonderful) really comes close. And what makes Davis so great is that, like those legendary conductors of old, he really gets under the skin of Berlioz and makes him exciting while maintaining score tempi. Listen, for instance, to his "Symphonie Fantastique," still the benchmark modern recording after nearly 30 years. Davis also excels in his readings of the Overtures, music from "Les Troyens," and the Symphonie Funebre et Triomphale which grabs the listener and pulls him/her into its vortex of sound.

In the other two symphonies, "Harold in Italy" and "Romeo et Juliette," I sense a lapse of sorts: the slow music is conducted not necessarily too slowly, but with a certain Romantic mushiness bordering on easy listening. This, for me, robs the "Romeo alone" and "Scene d'amour" of its passion, though of course it is wonderful to hear the score in modern stereo instead of Munch's cramped mono, and for me Toscanini's second movement of "Harold," with its peculiar yet engaging walking gait, shall never be surpassed--and, unlike Munch, Toscanini somewhat transcended his mono sound because of the wonderful clarity and transparency of his orchestra. Nevertheless, if I were forced to I would live with this Davis set over my Munch and Toscanini recordings because of their overall warmth and excellent sound.

Other highlights include excerpts from "Lelio" sung superbly by pre-leukemia Jose Carreras (listen to him ascend fearlessly to those high notes--he hasn't done that in nearly a quarter-century!), dramatically astute singing by Patricia Kerns and John Shirley-Quirk in "Romeo," and marvelous interpretations of the Overtures (oh, and you can forget "Rob Roy"...Berlioz decided after one performance that he would never publish it or even bother revising it, hence it is not here). I do question the omission of the Requiem and Te Deum (after all, they ARE "orchestral works"), but with so many riches at such a low price, who cares? Liner notes are sparse, and this is a slimline box which means paper sleeves and no jewel boxes, but so what? For this much Berlioz, so beautifully sung and conducted, the composer himself would gladly have plunked down ...

all the overtures *NOT*.......2001-05-04

This isn't a "complete" recording of Berlioz' orchestral music - what about the 'Rob Roy' overture? Granted it recycles some of Harold in Italy, but still...

A wonderful collection of Berlioz.......2000-08-15

This incredible six CD set features all of Hector Berlioz's purely orchestral music conducted by the great Sir Colin Davis, widely regarded as one of the greatest living Berlioz interpreters. In addition to favorites such as Symphonie fantastique, Harold en Italie and Romeo et Juliette, the set also includes the lesser known Lelio and several other works. The works were recorded between 1965 and 1980, and the sound is wonderful and rich. His interpretations are also lively and full of energy, especially in the overtures.

The Romeo et Juliette included in this set is my favorite of all the recordings of it that I've heard, although I haven't yet heard Sir Colin's more recent recording with the Vienna Philharmonic. The recording of Lelio is also well done. Jose Carreras and Thomas Allen are the featured singers in Lelio's song movements, and the fantasy on Shakespeare's Tempest at the end of the work is fascinating indeed. If you've only heard Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique and want to hear more of his works, or are looking for a nice collection of classic Berlioz recordings, then take a good look at this set.

Average customer rating: The most exciting Fantastique ever recorded? Good Stuff!! SUPERB!!!!

Symphonie Fantastique Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Detroit Symphony Orchestra | ( D ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Suppé: Overtures; Auber: The Bronze Horse [Hybrid SACD] Paul Paray Conducts Dances of Death Stravinsky: The Firebird (Complete Ballet); Fireworks [Hybrid SACD] Paul Paray Conducts Chabrier Enesco: Roumanian Rhapsody No. 1; Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsodies Nos. 1-6 [Hybrid SACD] ASIN: B000AC5B02 Release Date: 2005-10-11

Tracks:

1. Reverie And Passions Largo. Allegro Agitato E Appassionato Assai
2. A Ball Valse. Allegro Non Troppo
3. Scene In The Country Adagio
4. March To The Scaffold
5. Dream Of A Witches' Sabbath. Allegro
6. Hungarian March
7. Trojan March
8. The Corsair, Overture
9. The Roman Carnival, Overture

Customer Reviews:

The most exciting Fantastique ever recorded?.......2006-04-02

Mercury continues to welcome back its old friends in three channel SACD including this version of Berlioz' Symphonie Fantastique by Paul Paray during his time with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

Recorded in then quarter-century old Detroit Cass Tech High School in 1959, I've always thought of this recording as a parable to that city's greatest decade, when it produced half the cars in the world and had a championship pro football team (see my review of the stereo version for more on this).

The three channel SACD hybrid (sorry, no surround sound on this issue) brings out a lot of details that were swallowed up in the old stereo version. It does a lot for the whole performance, especially the interplay between woodwinds and timpani in the closing section of "Scene In the Country."

Like Toscanini, Paray pushed the throttle hard when conducting and his style here led to one of the most exciting versions of the Fantastic Symphony ever recorded. The excitement in the two closing movements has hardly been equaled in any recording, new or classic.

The four encores on this recording -- Hungarian and Trojan marches and the Corsair and Roman Carnival overtures -- are performed in kindred spirit. The excitement Paray and the Detroiters build in the two overtures is breathtaking. The Detroiters stay with their high octane conductor throughout this Berlioz extravaganza.

I read a critic that complained about a certain high pitched noise in the symphony. Can't say I heard that. Having converted to 5.1 surround sound this year, I was very pleased to see this wonderful performance returned to currency. It's a hybrid you can hear it in traditional stereo too.

But upgrade your system to hear everything that's being offered and you won't look back on stereo. Either way, you're going to want to hear this recording. It's one of the most exciting performances available and now it's even better than ever.

Good Stuff!!.......2005-10-30

This is an excellent Symphonie Fantastique. Unusual, unexpected, and refreshing. This may not be the most overwhelming recording. Yet, it is completely fresh and enjoyable.
Brasses play very well. Woodwinds are great. As for Paray, I really enjoy the unnusual touches of this performance. Compared to many, this is a real bargain.

SUPERB!!!!.......2005-10-11

I happen to own at least 15 recordings of Berlioz' "Symphonie Fantastique" and most are very good to excellent (the Norrington, Gardiner, and Davis versions are especially fine). However, the Paul Paray/Detroit Symphony version on Mercury Living Presence, newly released as a SACD, is simply unsurpassed. The excitement that this ensemble produces is beyond what mere words can describe. The music ignites sparks. Every movement is a joy, played with precision and passion. One truly hears and feels the unbalanced nature of the artist that Berlioz is portraying in his five movement masterpiece, which was way ahead of it's time when written. Even today it sounds modern and fresh. I especially like the second movement portraying a Ball, fourth movement portraying a March to the Scaffold, and the final movement portraying a Witches Sabbath (you'll never hear the E-Flat clarinet entry solo played any better than here.) But then again, the entire symphony is wonderful. With the Hungarian March, Trojan March, Corsair and Roman Carnival overtures included on the SACD, this is a superb value. If I could only own one recording of the Symphonie Fantastique, this would be the one.

Meditation Music:

1. Best of Doug Smith
2. Bizet: Ivan IV: Opera in 5 Acts and 6 Tableaux
3. Childhood and Memory
4. Circadian Symphony
5. Club Trini
6. Columbus & the Age of Discovery [Soundtrack]
7. Cymbiosis: Jazz Sampler, Vol. 2, No. 1
8. Deep Heart
9. Deja Views
10. Dmitri Shostakovich: Lady Macbeth Of Mzensk

Meditation Music

meditation music

Meditation Music

Naughty Boy [CD-single] [Import]

Circular Dreams [CD-single]

Bach: Toccatas/Chromatic Fantasy

Music: Bound to Ride

Essential Grooves [Import]

City Reading (Tre Storie Western) [Explicit Lyrics]

Chansons & Violons

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

Complete Recordings

Burn [Import]

Challenge Compilation [Hybrid SACD]

Ao Vivo [Live] [Import]

Creep Dog 4 Life: The Legend Continues

New Orleans Cookin'

The Royal Scam