Louis-Hector Berlioz (1803-69) wrote that “Beethoven opened before me a new world of music, as Shakespeare had revealed a new universe of poetry.” Bill covers the arc of Berlioz’s life and music, from leaving medical school in Paris to attend the opera and studying at the Paris Conservatory, then being a model of the Romantic movement. This week’s fifth episode features the last two movements of Symphonie Fantastique, displaying Berlioz’s gift for spectacular drama and concludes with an excerpt from his setting of “La Marseillaise,” the French national anthem.
Berlioz, Hector
Playlist
Episode 1
Hector Berlioz: Herminie (excerpt)
Philharmonia Orchestra/JeanPhilippe Rouchon; Roslyn Plowright, soprano
ASV 30; 4:15
Hector Berlioz: Les Francs Juges
London Symphony Orchestra/C. Davis
Philips 456143-2; 12:41
Hector Berlioz: Death of Cleopatra II
Philharmonia Orchestra/JeanPhilippe Rouchon; Plowright, soprano
ASV 30; 6:49
Hector Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, I. II.
Radio de Fussion Francaise/Beecham
ALP 1633; 12:39, 6:42
Episode 2
Hector Berlioz: Lelio (excerpts)
London Symphony Orchestra/Boulez
John Mitchinson, tenor; John Shirley-Quirk, baritone
Sony S3K-64103(3); 5:29, 3:50
Hector Berlioz: Harold in Italy
II. III.
Boston Symphony Orchestra/Munch; William Primrose, viola
RCA 68444-2; 6:42, 6:30
Hector Berlioz: Requiem (excerpts)
Boston Symphony Orchestra/Ozawa
RCA 62544-2; 11:22, 5:14, 9:21
Episode 3
Hector Berlioz: Benvenuto Cellini, Overture
London Symphony Orchestra/C. Davis
Philips 157302; 9:35
Hector Berlioz: Reverie et caprice
Quebec Symphony Orchestra/Talmi; James Ehnes, violin
Analekta 23151; 8:29
Hector Berlioz: Romeo and Juliet (excerpt)
Boston Symphony Orchestra/Munch
RCA 34168; 4:34
Hector Berlioz: Les nuits d’ete (excerpts from)
Boston Symphony Orchestra/Munch; Victoria de Los Angeles, soprano
RCA 60393; 6:26, 5:08, 3:40
Hector Berlioz: Roman Carnival Overture
London Symphony Orchestra/C. Davis
Philips 456143-2; 8:57
Episode 4
Hector Berlioz: Marche funebre pour la derniere scene d’Hamlet
Orchestre Revolutionaire et Romantique/Gardiner
Philips 446676-2; 6:34
Hector Berlioz: Damnation of Faust (excerpts from)
Philharmonia Orchestra and Chorus/Chung
Keith Lewis, Bryn Terfel, Anne Sofie von Otter
DG 453500-2 (2); 14:40, 8:03, 8:22
Hector Berlioz: L’enfance de Christ Part II, I & II
Boston Symphony Orchestra/Munch; New England Conservatory Chorus
RCA 61234-2; 4:56, 4:04
Episode 5
Hector Berlioz: Les Troyens (excerpts from)
London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus/Davis
Philips 456837; 3:45,19:33, 6:35
Hector Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, IV & V
Radio de Fussion Francaise/Beecham
EMI 67972; 5:13, 10:39
Hector Berlioz
La Marceillaise (excerpt); 1:41