Berlioz: Harold in Italy

[Bella Kemp]

Well I love this work. It is so tuneful and optimistic I wonder how anyone can not like it. Perhaps it helps that I also adore re-reading Byron. One needs to put oneself into the mindset of the composer perhaps.

[BBMmk2]

What’s happening to Berlioz in general these days? I know we had that Berlioz series that LSO/Gergiev gave but apart from that and JEG, anybody else taking an interest.

[verismissimo]

… I did bump into Imai backstage at the Wigmore 'all a few months ago.

I saw Imai with the Dante Quartet at Leamington Hastings (who knew?) on Saturday. They played Haydn 33.5, Shost 9 and Beethoven op 131. Well, but not especially so.

[Darkbloom]

What’s happening to Berlioz in general these days? I know we had that Berlioz series that LSO/Gergiev gave but apart from that and JEG, anybody else taking an interest.

It's hard to follow Colin Davis. I didn't immediately appreciate his way with Berlioz but he brought a warmth I haven't heard equalled, particularly with the LSO in his later years.

[teamsaint]

What’s happening to Berlioz in general these days? I know we had that Berlioz series that LSO/Gergiev gave but apart from that and JEG, anybody else taking an interest.

Mon 17 Dec at 19:30
Barbican Hall, London
Berlioz's L’Enfance du Christ
MORE INFO
Berlioz, L'Enfance du Christ, Op.25
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Edward Gardner, Conductor
Karen Cargill, Mezzo-soprano
Robert Murray, Tenor
Étienne Dupuis, Baritone
Matthew Rose, Bass
BBC Symphony Chorus

[bluestateprommer]

What’s happening to Berlioz in general these days? I know we had that Berlioz series that LSO/Gergiev gave but apart from that and JEG, anybody else taking an interest.

Try clicking from this page: http://www.hberlioz.com/Concerts/performancesd1.htm

[BBMmk2]

Try clicking from this page: http://www.hberlioz.com/Concerts/performancesd1.htm

Thanks for that. There’s one work I would love to see and that’s his Symphonie Funebre et Tropmphale!

[Barbirollians]

We were so lucky to have Sir Colin Davis recording and performing Berlioz's big works for so many years . I should love to see and hear his Romeo and Juliette in concert.

[BBMmk2]

We were so lucky to have Sir Colin Davis recording and performing Berlioz's big works for so many years . I should love to see and hear his Romeo and Juliette in concert.

His recording on Phillips, of the SF&T, is well worth getting.

[aeolium]

I think it a great pity that there seems to be so little Berlioz in Mackerras' discography: AFAICS a Symphonie Fantastique (plus Carnaval Romain overture) with the RPO and some highlights from various works with the Philharmonia. It can't be due to a lack of interest in Berlioz on Mackerras' part, since he conducted a reportedly superb production of The Trojans at WNO in 1987. Was his failure to record much Berlioz, other than the best known works, due to Colin Davis' seeming monopoly of the complete works in Britain (at least until JEG started to record them)?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

What’s happening to Berlioz in general these days? I know we had that Berlioz series that LSO/Gergiev gave but apart from that and JEG, anybody else taking an interest.

Dunno about "in general", Bbm - but the John Nelson Les Troyens has just been nominated as Gramophone "Disc of the Year", which is splendid news.

https://www.europadisc.co.uk/information/458/Gramophone_Awards_2018.htm

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Mon 17 Dec at 19:30
Barbican Hall, London
Berlioz's L’Enfance du Christ
MORE INFO
Berlioz, L'Enfance du Christ, Op.25
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Edward Gardner, Conductor
Karen Cargill, Mezzo-soprano
Robert Murray, Tenor
Étienne Dupuis, Baritone
Matthew Rose, Bass
BBC Symphony Chorus

- one to listen out for (BBCSO, so I presume it'll be broadcast). Back in May, Simon Wright led the Opera North forces in an excellent performance of The Damnation of Faust in Leeds Town Hall.

I think Berlioz is a fabulous composer - one of my favourites of the 19th Century.

[aeolium]

Edward Gardner is also conducting The Damnation of Faust at Birmingham with the CBSO, chorus and soloists next June:

https://www.thsh.co.uk/event/the-damnation-of-faust

With luck, there might be more Berlioz performances than usual next year to commemorate the 150th anniversary of his death.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

With luck, there might be more Berlioz performances than usual next year to commemorate the 150th anniversary of his death.

[Roslynmuse]

I think it a great pity that there seems to be so little Berlioz in Mackerras' discography: AFAICS a Symphonie Fantastique (plus Carnaval Romain overture) with the RPO and some highlights from various works with the Philharmonia. It can't be due to a lack of interest in Berlioz on Mackerras' part, since he conducted a reportedly superb production of The Trojans at WNO in 1987. Was his failure to record much Berlioz, other than the best known works, due to Colin Davis' seeming monopoly of the complete works in Britain (at least until JEG started to record them)?

I went to one of the performances of The Trojans, in Liverpool, March 87. And it was superb.