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
Hector Berlioz sitting, looking longingly
Playlist
Episode 1
Berlioz, Hector: Symphonie Fantastique II.
Radio de Fussion Francaise/Beecham
Symphonie Fantastique
ALP 1633
2:32
Berlioz, Hector: Herminie (excerpt)
Philharmonia Orchestra/JeanPhilippe Rouchon, conductor; Roslyn Plowright, soprano
La Mort De Cleopatre, Herminie
ASV 30
4:15
Berlioz, Hector: Les Francs Juges
LSO/C. Davis
Berlioz: Overture “Les francs-juges”, Op. 3
Phi–456143-2
12:41
Berlioz, Hector: Death of Cleopatra II
Philharmonia Orchestra/JeanPhilippe Rouchon, conductor; Roslyn Plowright, soprano
La Mort De Cleopatre, Herminie
ASV 30
6:49
Berlioz, Hector: Symphonie Fantastique I & II
Radio de Fussion Francaise/Beecham
Symphonie Fantastique
ALP 1633
0:19
Berlioz, Hector: Symphonie Fantastique I & II
Radio de Fussion Francaise/Beecham
Symphonie Fantastique
ALP 163
1:56
Episode 2
Berlioz, Hector: Lelio (excerpts from)
LSO/ Boulez; John Mitchinson, tenor; John Shirley Quirk, baritone
Berlioz – Pierre Boulez
Sony SM3K-64103(3)
9:20
Berlioz, Hector: Harold in Italy, II & III
BSO/Munch William Primrose, viola
Symphonie Fantastique Overtures; Roman Carnival;
Beatrice and Benedict RCA Victor Basic 100, Vol. 24
RCA 68444-2
13:13
Berlioz, Hector: Requiem (excerpts from)
BSO/Ozawa
Symphonie Fantastique Overtures; Roman Carnival;
Beatrice and Benedict RCA Victor Basic 100, Vol. 24
RCA 62544-2
11:22
Berlioz, Hector: Requiem (excerpts from)
BSO/Ozawa
Symphonie Fantastique Overtures; Roman Carnival;
Beatrice and Benedict RCA Victor Basic 100, Vol. 24
RCA 62544-2
14:35
Episode 3
Berlioz, Hector: Requiem (excerpts from)
BSO/Ozawa
Symphonie Fantastique Overtures; Roman Carnival;
Beatrice and Benedict RCA Victor Basic 100, Vol. 24
RCA 62544-2
2:25
Berlioz, Hector: Benvenuto Cellini, overture
LSO/C. Davis
Benvenuto Cellini
Phil 157302
9:35
Berlioz, Hector: Reverie et caprice
Quebeque Symphony Orch./ Talmi; James Ehnes, violin
French Showpieces / James Ehnes, Yoav Talmi
Analekta 23151
8:29
Berlioz, Hector: Romeo and Juliet (excerpt)
BSO/ Munch
Symphonie Fantastique
RCA 34168
4:34
Berlioz, Hector: Les nuits d’ete (excerpts from)
BSO/Munch Victoria de Los Angeles, soprano
Complete Collections – Munch Conducts Berlioz
RCA 60393
15:19
Berlioz, Hector: Roman Carnival Overture
LSO/C. Davis
Symphonie Fantastique
Phi 456143-2
8:57
Berlioz, Hector: Les nuits d’été (excerpt)
BSO/Munch Victoria de Los Angeles, soprano
Complete Collections – Munch Conducts Berlioz
RCA 60393
1:00
Episode 4
Berlioz, Hector: Marche funebre pour la derniere scene d’Hamlet
Orchestre Revolutionaire et Romantique/ Gardiner
Harold En Italie
Phi –446676-2
6:34
Berlioz, Hector: Damnation of Faust (excerpts from)
Philharmonia Orch. and Chorus/ Chung; Keith Lewis, Bryn Terfel, Anne Sofie von Otter, soloists
La Damnation De Faust
DG 453500-2 (2)
14:40
Berlioz, Hector: Damnation of Faust (excerpts from)
Philharmonia Orch. and Chorus/ Chung; Keith Lewis, Bryn Terfel, Anne Sofie von Otter, soloists
La Damnation De Faust
DG 453500-2 (2)
8:03
Berlioz, Hector: Damnation of Faust (excerpts from)
Philharmonia Orch. and Chorus/ Chung; Keith Lewis, Bryn Terfel, Anne Sofie von Otter, soloists
La Damnation De Faust
DG 453500-2 (2)
8:22
Berlioz, Hector: L’enfance de Christ Part II, I & II
BSO/ Munch;New England Conservatory Chorus
L’enfance Du Christ, Les Nuits D’été
RCA 61234-2
9:01
Episode 5
Berlioz, Hector: Les Troyens (excerpts from)
LSO and Chorus/Davis
Les Troyens
Phil 456837
3:45
Berlioz, Hector: Les Troyens (excerpts from)
LSO and Chorus/Davis
Les Troyens
Phil 456837
19:33
Berlioz, Hector: Les Troyens (excerpts from)
LSO and Chorus/Davis
Les Troyens
Phil 456837
6:35
Berlioz, Hector: Symphonie Fantastique, IV & V
Radio de Fussion Francaise/Beecham
Symphonie Fantastique
EMI 67972
15:56
Berlioz, Hector: La Marceillaise (excerpt)
1:41