Berlioz Edition (Box Set)

Berlioz Edition (Box Set)

Berlioz Edition (Box Set)
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CD Details

Performer: Thomas Allen
Composer: Hector Berlioz
Conductor: Colin Davis
Conductor: Edo de Waart
Performer: Janet Baker
Performer: Gillian Knight
Performer: Josephine Veasey
Orchestra: BBC Symphony Orchestra
Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra
Orchestra: Royal Opera House Covent Garden Chorus and Orchestra
Performer: Nicholas Kynaston
Performer: John Constable
Performer: Sheila Armstrong
Performer: José Carreras
Performer: Robert Tear
Performer: Philip Langridge
Performer: Eric Tappy
Performer: Nicolai Gedda
Performer: Franco Tagliavini
Performer: Frank Patterson
Edition: Music CD
Format: Box set
CD Release Date: 2003-12-16
Music Label: Philips
Soundtracks:
Music CD 1
  1. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Ouverture
  2. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 1. Tableau 1. Introduction. Teresa... mais oĂą peut-elle ĂŞtre?
  3. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 1. Tableau 1. Tra la la la, de produndis! / Ensemble. Oh, canaille! Infâme engeance! /
  4. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 1. Tableau 1. Les belles fleurs!
  5. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 1. Tableau 1. Air. Entre l'amour et le devoir / Quand j'aurai votre âge
  6. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 1. Tableau 1. Cellini... - Teresa, ne fuyez pas
  7. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 1. Tableau 1. Trio. Oh Teresa, vous que j'aime / Ensemble. Eh bien donc, Teresa
  8. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 1. Tableau 1. Ah, mourir, ch�¨re belle / Ensemble. Qui, la mort �©ternelle!
  9. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 1. Tableau 1. Dialoque. Ciel, nous sommes perdus
  10. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 1. Tableau 1. C'est fini / A nous, voisines et servantes!
  11. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 1. Tableau 1. Ah, maître drôle! Ah, libertin! / Ensemble. Emmenons-le dans le jardini
Music CD 2
  1. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 1. Tableau 2. Une heure encore
  2. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 1. Tableau 2. Romance. La gloire Ă©tait ma seule idole
  3. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 1. Tableau 2. A boire, Ă  boire
  4. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 1. Tableau 2. Choeur des ciseleurs. Si la terre aux beaux jours se couronne
  5. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 1. Tableau 2. Amis, avant qu'on recommence / Que voulez-vous? / C'est le sauveur! Viva!
  6. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 1. Tableau 2. Air. Cette somme t'est due / Soit, je le jure, enfant / Ecoutez: tout-Ă -l
  7. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 1. Tableau 2. Dialogue. C'est trop fort! Comploter Ă  mon nez
  8. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 1. Tableau 2. Air. Ah, qui pourrait me résister? / Dialogue. Viens, le temps passe
  9. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 1. Tableau 2. Vous voyez, j'espère / Ensemble. Ah, que vais-je faire? / De Cassandro la
  10. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 1. Tableau 2. Venez, venez, peuple de Rome
  11. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 1. Tableau 2. Silence! silence! silence!
  12. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 1. Tableau 2. Ensemble. Bien, bien, bien / Il plaît fort au vieil homme
  13. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 1. Tableau 2. Vien, pas Ă  pas / Ensemble. Assassiner un capucin! / A moi, mes amis
  14. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 1. Tableau 2. Ensemble. Maudit canon du fort Saint-Ange / Ensemble. Au meurtre! Ah, Die
Music CD 3
  1. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 2. Entr'acte. Tableau 3. Ah, qu'est il devenu?
  2. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 2. Tableau 3. Prière. Rosa purpurea / Teresa... Cellini!
  3. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 2. Tableau 3. Ma dague en main, protégé pa la nuit
  4. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 2. Tableau 3. Ah, le ciel, cher Ă©poux / Ensemble. Ah, le ciel, cher Ă©poux
  5. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 2. Tableau 3. Quand des sommets de la montagne
  6. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 2. Tableau 3. Dialogue. Ah, maître! Mon che maître! / Sextuor. Ah, je te trouve enfin /
  7. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 2. Tableau 3. Le Pape ici! De la prudence!
  8. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 2. Tableau 3. Justice Ă  nous / Ensemble. Ah, qu'a-t-il fait
  9. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 2. Tableau 3. Ah ça, démon! / Ensemble. Ah! le démon me tient en laisse / Ensemble. Pen
  10. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 2. Tableau 3. Ensemble. Ah, maintenant de sa folle impudence
  11. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 2. Tableau 3. Prélude
  12. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 2. Tableau 4. Air. Tra, la, la, la, la, la... Mais qu'ai-je donc?
  13. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 2. Tableau 4. Seul pour lutter, seul avec mon courage
  14. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 2. Tableau 4. Bienheureux les matelots
  15. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 2. Tableau 4. Dialogue. Vite, au travail, sans plus attendre! / Que veut ce sot avec se
  16. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 2. Tableau 4. Peuple ouvrier
  17. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 2. Tableau 4. Dialogue. Ciel, c'est Fieramosca! / HolĂ ! qu'est ceci? / Ensemble. Peuple
  18. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 2. Tableau 4. Teresa, Teresa, ici!
  19. Benvenuto Cellini, opera, H. 76a, Op. 23: Act 2. Tableau 4. Du métal! Du métal! / Ensemble. Quelle pâleur sur son visage / Maître, ma
Music CD 4
  1. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Ouverture
  2. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act 1. No. 1. Choeur. Le More est en fuite / Dialogue. Enfin, cette guerre est terminée!
  3. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act 1. No. 2. Choeur. Le More est en fuite / No. 2 bis. Danse nationale. Sicilienne
  4. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act 1. No. 3. Air. Je vais le voir / Il me revient fidèle
  5. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act 1. No. 3. Dialogue. Recevez mes félicitations
  6. B�©atrice et B�©n�©dict, opera, H. 138: Act 1. No. 4. Duo. Comment le d�©dain pourrait-il mourir? / Dialogue. B�©n�©dict, ne partez pas!
  7. B�©atrice et B�©n�©dict, opera, H. 138: Act 1. No. 5. Trio. Me marier? Dieu me pardonne! / Dialogue. Par le ciel!
  8. B�©atrice et B�©n�©dict, opera, H. 138: Act 1. No. 5. Dialogue. Allons! Chacun de vous
  9. B�©atrice et B�©n�©dict, opera, H. 138: Act 1. No. 6. Epithalame grotesque. Mourez, tendres �©poux / Monologue. Ah, mon Dieu! / Dialogue.
  10. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act 1. No. 6a. Epithalame grotesque. Mourez, tendres époux
  11. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act 1. No. 6a. Dialogue. Eh bien! Leonato
  12. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act 1. No. 7. Rondo. Ah, je vais l'aimer
  13. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act 1. No. 7. Dialogue. Ah, je sais gré à mon père
  14. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act 1. No. 8. Duo (Nocturne). Vous soupirez, madame? / Nuit paisible et sereine!
Music CD 5
  1. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act 1. No. 8. Entr'acte. Sicilienne
  2. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act 2. No. 9. Improvisation et choeur à boire. Le vin de Syracuse
  3. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act 2. No. 10. Air. Non! Que viens-je d'entendre? / Il m'en souvient / Je l'aime donc?
  4. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act 2. No. 10. Dialogue. Qu'as-tu donc, Béatrice
  5. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act 2. No. 11. Trio. Je vais d'un coeur aimant
  6. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act 2. No. 11. Dialogue. On nous attend
  7. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act 2. No. 12. Choeur lointain. Viens! Viens, de l'hyménée
  8. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act 2. No. 12. Dialogue. Ciel!
  9. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act 2. No. 13. Marche nuptiale. Dieu qui guidas nos bras
  10. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act 2. No. 13. Dialogue. Approchez, Claudio!
  11. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act 2. No. 14. Enseigne. Ici l'on voit Bénédict
  12. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act 2. No. 15. Scherzo duettino. L'amour est un flambeau
Music CD 6
  1. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 1. No. 1. Choeur de la populace troyenne. Ha, ha! Après dix ans
  2. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 1. No. 2. RĂ©citatif et air. Les Grecs ont disparu / Malheureux roi!
  3. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 1. No. 2. Chorèbe / No. 3. Duo. C'est lui! / Reviens à toi, vierge adorée! / Pauvre âme égarée
  4. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 1. No. 4. Marche et hymne. Dieux protecteurs de la ville Ă©ternelle
  5. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 1. No. 5. Combat de ceste - Pas de lutteurs
  6. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 1. No. 6. Pantomime. Andromaque et son fils!
  7. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 1. No. 7. Narration. Du peuple et des soldats
  8. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 1. No. 8. Ottetto et double choeur. Ch�¢timent effroyable!
  9. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 1. No. 9. R�©citatif e choeur. Que la d�©sse nous prot�¨ge
  10. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 1. No. 10. Air. Non, je ne verrai pas la déplorable fête
  11. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 1. No. 11. Finale. Marche troyenne. De mes sens Ă©perdus
Music CD 7
  1. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 2. Tableau 1. No. 12. Scène et récitatif. Introduction orchestrale / Oh lumière de Troie! / Ah
  2. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 2. Tableau 1. No. 13. Récitatif et choeur. Quelle espérance encor est permise / Le salut des v
  3. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 2. Tableau 2. No. 14. Choeur - Prière. Ah, puissante Cybèle
  4. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 2. Tableau 2. No. 15. Récitatif et choeur. Tous ne périrous pas / Oh digne soeur d'Hector
  5. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 2. Tableau 2. No. 16. Finale. Complices de sa gloire / Le trésor! Le trésor!
  6. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 3. No. 17. Choeur. De Carthage les cieux
  7. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 3. No. 18. Chant national. Gloire Ă  Didon
  8. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 3. No. 19. RĂ©citatif et air. Nous avons vu finir sept ans Ă  peine / Chers Tyriens
  9. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 3. No. 20. Entrée des constructeurs
  10. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 3. No. 21. Entrée des matelots
  11. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 3. No. 22. Entrée des laboureurs
  12. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 3. No. 23. RĂ©citatif et choeur. Peuple, tous les honneurs / Gloire Ă  Didon
  13. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 3. No. 24. Récitatif et duo. Les chants joyeux / Sa voix fait naître dans mon sein
  14. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 3. No. 25. Récitatif et air. Eschappés à grand peine / Errante sur les mers
  15. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 3. No. 26. Marche troyenne dans le mode triste. J'Ă©prouve une soudaine et vive impatience
  16. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 3. No. 27. RĂ©citatif. Auguste reine, un peuple errant et malheureux
  17. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 3. No. 28. Finale. J'ose Ă  peine annoncer la terrible nouvelle! / Annonce Ă  nos Troyens l'entr
Music CD 8
  1. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 4. Tableau 1. No. 29. Chasse royale et orage - Pantomime
  2. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 4. Tableau 2. No. 30. RĂ©citatif. Dites, Narbal, qui cause vos alarmes?
  3. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 4. Tableau 2. No. 31. Air et duo. De quels revers menaces-tu Carthage / Vaine terreur
  4. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 4. Tableau 2. No. 32. Marche pour l'entrée de la reine
  5. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 4. Tableau 2. No. 33. Ballets. a. Pas des Almées
  6. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 4. Tableau 2. No. 33. Ballets. b. Danse des esclaves
  7. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 4. Tableau 2. No. 33. Ballets. c. Pas d'esclaves nubiennes
  8. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 4. Tableau 2. No. 34. Scène et chant d'Iopas. Assez, ma soeur / Oh blonde Cérès
  9. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 4. Tableau 2. No. 35. RĂ©citatif et quintette. Pardonne, Iopas / Oh pudeur! Tout conspire
  10. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 4. Tableau 2. No. 36. RĂ©citatif et septuor. Mais bannissons ces tristes souvenirs / Tout n'est
  11. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 4. Tableau 2. No. 37. Duo. Nuit d'ivresse et d'extase infinie!
Music CD 9
  1. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 5. Tableau 1. No. 38. Chanson d'Hylas. Vallon sonore
  2. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 5. Tableau 1. No. 39. Récitatif et choeur. Préparez tout, il faut partir enfin / Chaque jour v
  3. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 5. Tableau 1. No. 40. Duo. Par Bacchus, ils sont fous avec leur Italie!
  4. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 5. Tableau 1. No. 41. Récitatif mesuré et air. Inutiles regrets! / Ah, quand viendra l'instant
  5. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 5. Tableau 1. No. 42. Scène. Enée!
  6. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 5. Tableau 1. No. 43. Scène et choeur. Debout, Troyens, éveillez-vous, alerte! / Alerte! Entre
  7. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 5. Tableau 1. No. 44. Duo et choeur. Errante sur tes pas / Italie!
  8. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 5. Tableau 2. No. 45. Scène. Va, ma soeur, l'implorer
  9. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 5. Tableau 2. No. 46. Scène. En mer, voyez! Six vaisseaux! / Dieux immortels, il part!
  10. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 5. Tableau 2. No. 47. Monologue. Ah! Ah! Je vais mourir...
  11. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 5. Tableau 2. No. 48. Air. Adieu, fière cité
  12. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 5. Tableau 3. No. 49. C�©r�©monie fun�¨bre. Dieux de l'oubli, dieux du T�©nare / S'il faut enfin q
  13. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 5. Tableau 3. No. 50. Sc�¨ne. Pluton... semble m'�ªtre propice...
  14. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act 5. Tableau 3. No. 51. Choeur. Ah! Au secours! Au secours! La reine s'est frapp�©e! / No. 52. Im
Music CD 10
  1. Symphonie fantastique for orchestra ('Episode de la vie d'un Artiste...en cinq parties'), H.48 (Op. 14): Visions and passions
  2. Symphonie fantastique for orchestra ('Episode de la vie d'un Artiste...en cinq parties'), H.48 (Op. 14): Un bal: Valse, Allegro non t
  3. Symphonie fantastique for orchestra ('Episode de la vie d'un Artiste...en cinq parties'), H.48 (Op. 14): Scene au champ, Adagio
  4. Symphonie fantastique for orchestra ('Episode de la vie d'un Artiste...en cinq parties'), H.48 (Op. 14): Marche au supplice, Allegro
  5. Symphonie fantastique for orchestra ('Episode de la vie d'un Artiste...en cinq parties'), H.48 (Op. 14): Songe d'une nuit du Sabbat
  6. Tristia, for chorus & orchestra (or piano), H. 119 (Op. 18): No.3: Marche funebre pour ola derniere scene d'Hamlet
  7. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('légende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Menuet
  8. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('légende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Marche
Music CD 11
  1. LĂ©lio, ou Le retour Ă  la vie, for soloists, chorus & orchestra ('monodrame lyrique'), H. 55 (Op. 14bis): Le pecheur
  2. LĂ©lio, ou Le retour Ă  la vie, for soloists, chorus & orchestra ('monodrame lyrique'), H. 55 (Op. 14bis): Choeur d'ombres
  3. LĂ©lio, ou Le retour Ă  la vie, for soloists, chorus & orchestra ('monodrame lyrique'), H. 55 (Op. 14bis): Chanson de brigands
  4. LĂ©lio, ou Le retour Ă  la vie, for soloists, chorus & orchestra ('monodrame lyrique'), H. 55 (Op. 14bis): Chant de bonheur
  5. LĂ©lio, ou Le retour Ă  la vie, for soloists, chorus & orchestra ('monodrame lyrique'), H. 55 (Op. 14bis): Le harpe eolienne
  6. L�©lio, ou Le retour �  la vie, for soloists, chorus & orchestra ('monodrame lyrique'), H. 55 (Op. 14bis): Fantaisie sur la Tempete de
  7. Symphonie funèbre et triomphale, for band, strings & chorus ad lib, H. 80 (Op. 15): Marche funebre
  8. Symphonie funèbre et triomphale, for band, strings & chorus ad lib, H. 80 (Op. 15): Oraison funebre
  9. Symphonie funèbre et triomphale, for band, strings & chorus ad lib, H. 80 (Op. 15): Apotheose: Gloire et triomphe
Music CD 12
  1. Harold en Italie (Harold in Italy), symphony for viola & orchestra, H. 68 (Op. 16): Harold aux montagnes, adagio
  2. Harold en Italie (Harold in Italy), symphony for viola & orchestra, H. 68 (Op. 16): Harold aux montagnes, allegro
  3. Harold en Italie (Harold in Italy), symphony for viola & orchestra, H. 68 (Op. 16): Marche des pelerins
  4. Harold en Italie (Harold in Italy), symphony for viola & orchestra, H. 68 (Op. 16): Serenade
  5. Harold en Italie (Harold in Italy), symphony for viola & orchestra, H. 68 (Op. 16): Orgie de brigands
  6. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act III, Part III: Prelude 'Les Troyens a Carthage'
  7. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act IV, No.29: Chasse Royale et orage-Pantomime
  8. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act IV, No.32: Marche pour l'entree de la reine
  9. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act IV, No.33, Part A: Pas des Almees
  10. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act IV, No.33, Part B: Danse des esclaves
  11. Les Troyens, opera, H. 133a: Act IV, No.33, Part C: Pas d'esclaves nubiennes
  12. RĂŞverie et caprice for violin & orchestra ('romance'), H.88 (Op. 8)
Music CD 13
  1. Roméo et Juliette, for alto, tenor, bass, chorus & orchestra ('symphonie dramatique'), H.79 (Op. 17): Part I: Introduction
  2. Roméo et Juliette, for alto, tenor, bass, chorus & orchestra ('symphonie dramatique'), H.79 (Op. 17): Part I: Prologue; 'D'anciennes
  3. Roméo et Juliette, for alto, tenor, bass, chorus & orchestra ('symphonie dramatique'), H.79 (Op. 17): Part I: Strophe 1; 'Premiers tr
  4. Roméo et Juliette, for alto, tenor, bass, chorus & orchestra ('symphonie dramatique'), H.79 (Op. 17): Part I: Strophe 2; 'Heureux enf
  5. Roméo et Juliette, for alto, tenor, bass, chorus & orchestra ('symphonie dramatique'), H.79 (Op. 17): Part I: Récitatif et Scherzetto
  6. Rom�©o et Juliette, for alto, tenor, bass, chorus & orchestra ('symphonie dramatique'), H.79 (Op. 17): Part II: Rom�©o seul - Tristesse
  7. Rom�©o et Juliette, for alto, tenor, bass, chorus & orchestra ('symphonie dramatique'), H.79 (Op. 17): Part II: Grande f�ªte chez les C
  8. Rom�©o et Juliette, for alto, tenor, bass, chorus & orchestra ('symphonie dramatique'), H.79 (Op. 17): Part III: 'Oh�©! Capulets! Bonso
  9. Rom�©o et Juliette, for alto, tenor, bass, chorus & orchestra ('symphonie dramatique'), H.79 (Op. 17): Part III: Sc�¨ne d'amour
Music CD 14
  1. Roméo et Juliette, for alto, tenor, bass, chorus & orchestra ('symphonie dramatique'), H.79 (Op. 17): Part IV: Scherzo; La reine Mab
  2. Roméo et Juliette, for alto, tenor, bass, chorus & orchestra ('symphonie dramatique'), H.79 (Op. 17): Part IV: Convoi funèbre de Juli
  3. Roméo et Juliette, for alto, tenor, bass, chorus & orchestra ('symphonie dramatique'), H.79 (Op. 17): Part IV: Roméo au tombeau des C
  4. Roméo et Juliette, for alto, tenor, bass, chorus & orchestra ('symphonie dramatique'), H.79 (Op. 17): Part IV: Finale. Choeurs et Réc
  5. Roméo et Juliette, for alto, tenor, bass, chorus & orchestra ('symphonie dramatique'), H.79 (Op. 17): Part IV: Finale. Air du Père La
  6. Roméo et Juliette, for alto, tenor, bass, chorus & orchestra ('symphonie dramatique'), H.79 (Op. 17): Part IV: Finale. Serment de réc
Music CD 15
  1. Overture to Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Overture~Overture
  2. Overture to 'Benvenuto Cellini' (Grande Ouverture de Benvenuto Cellini) for orchestra, H. 76b (Op. 23)
  3. King Lear Overture (Grande Ouverture du roi Lear), for orchestra, H. 53 (Op. 4)
  4. Grande Ouverture des Francs-Juges, for orchestra, H. 23d
  5. Waverly Overture (Grande Ouverture de Waverly) for orchestra, H. 26 (Op. 1)
  6. Le Corsaire, overture for orchestra, H. 101 (Op. 21)
  7. Le carnival romain (Roman Carnival Overture), ouverture catactéristique for orchestra, H.95 (Op. 9)
Music CD 16
  1. Roméo et Juliette, for alto, tenor, bass, chorus & orchestra ('symphonie dramatique'), H.79 (Op. 17): Part 1. Introduction. Combats -
  2. Roméo et Juliette, for alto, tenor, bass, chorus & orchestra ('symphonie dramatique'), H.79 (Op. 17): Part 1. Prologue. D'anciennes h
  3. Roméo et Juliette, for alto, tenor, bass, chorus & orchestra ('symphonie dramatique'), H.79 (Op. 17): Part 1. Strophes. Premiers tran
  4. Roméo et Juliette, for alto, tenor, bass, chorus & orchestra ('symphonie dramatique'), H.79 (Op. 17): Part 1. Strophes. Heureux enfan
  5. Roméo et Juliette, for alto, tenor, bass, chorus & orchestra ('symphonie dramatique'), H.79 (Op. 17): Part 1. Scherzetto. Bientôt de
  6. Roméo et Juliette, for alto, tenor, bass, chorus & orchestra ('symphonie dramatique'), H.79 (Op. 17): Part 2. Roméo seul - Tristesse
  7. Roméo et Juliette, for alto, tenor, bass, chorus & orchestra ('symphonie dramatique'), H.79 (Op. 17): Part 2. Grande fête chez les Ca
  8. Roméo et Juliette, for alto, tenor, bass, chorus & orchestra ('symphonie dramatique'), H.79 (Op. 17): Part 3. Ohé, Capulets! Bonsoir,
  9. Roméo et Juliette, for alto, tenor, bass, chorus & orchestra ('symphonie dramatique'), H.79 (Op. 17): Part 3. Scène d'amour
  10. Roméo et Juliette, for alto, tenor, bass, chorus & orchestra ('symphonie dramatique'), H.79 (Op. 17): Part 4. Scherzo. La reine Mab,
  11. Roméo et Juliette, for alto, tenor, bass, chorus & orchestra ('symphonie dramatique'), H.79 (Op. 17): Part 4. Convoi funèbre de Julie
  12. Roméo et Juliette, for alto, tenor, bass, chorus & orchestra ('symphonie dramatique'), H.79 (Op. 17): Part 4. Roméo au tombeau des Ca
Music CD 17
  1. Roméo et Juliette, for alto, tenor, bass, chorus & orchestra ('symphonie dramatique'), H.79 (Op. 17): Part 4. Finale. Quoi! Roméo de
  2. Roméo et Juliette, for alto, tenor, bass, chorus & orchestra ('symphonie dramatique'), H.79 (Op. 17): Part 4. Air. Pauvres enfants qu
  3. Roméo et Juliette, for alto, tenor, bass, chorus & orchestra ('symphonie dramatique'), H.79 (Op. 17): Part 4. Serment. Jurez donc par
  4. L' Enfance du Christ, oratorio for soprano, 2 tenors, baritone, 3 basses, chorus & orchetsra ('trilogie sacrée') H. 130 (Op. 25): Par
  5. L' Enfance du Christ, oratorio for soprano, 2 tenors, baritone, 3 basses, chorus & orchetsra ('trilogie sacrée') H. 130 (Op. 25): Par
  6. L' Enfance du Christ, oratorio for soprano, 2 tenors, baritone, 3 basses, chorus & orchetsra ('trilogie sacrée') H. 130 (Op. 25): Par
  7. L' Enfance du Christ, oratorio for soprano, 2 tenors, baritone, 3 basses, chorus & orchetsra ('trilogie sacrée') H. 130 (Op. 25): Par
  8. L' Enfance du Christ, oratorio for soprano, 2 tenors, baritone, 3 basses, chorus & orchetsra ('trilogie sacrée') H. 130 (Op. 25): Par
  9. L' Enfance du Christ, oratorio for soprano, 2 tenors, baritone, 3 basses, chorus & orchetsra ('trilogie sacr�©e') H. 130 (Op. 25): Par
  10. L' Enfance du Christ, oratorio for soprano, 2 tenors, baritone, 3 basses, chorus & orchetsra ('trilogie sacr�©e') H. 130 (Op. 25): Par
  11. L' Enfance du Christ, oratorio for soprano, 2 tenors, baritone, 3 basses, chorus & orchetsra ('trilogie sacr�©e') H. 130 (Op. 25): Par
  12. L' Enfance du Christ, oratorio for soprano, 2 tenors, baritone, 3 basses, chorus & orchetsra ('trilogie sacr�©e') H. 130 (Op. 25): Par
  13. L' Enfance du Christ, oratorio for soprano, 2 tenors, baritone, 3 basses, chorus & orchetsra ('trilogie sacrée') H. 130 (Op. 25): Par
  14. L' Enfance du Christ, oratorio for soprano, 2 tenors, baritone, 3 basses, chorus & orchetsra ('trilogie sacrée') H. 130 (Op. 25): Par
Music CD 18
  1. L' Enfance du Christ, oratorio for soprano, 2 tenors, baritone, 3 basses, chorus & orchetsra ('trilogie sacrée') H. 130 (Op. 25): Par
  2. L' Enfance du Christ, oratorio for soprano, 2 tenors, baritone, 3 basses, chorus & orchetsra ('trilogie sacrée') H. 130 (Op. 25): Par
  3. L' Enfance du Christ, oratorio for soprano, 2 tenors, baritone, 3 basses, chorus & orchetsra ('trilogie sacrée') H. 130 (Op. 25): Par
  4. L' Enfance du Christ, oratorio for soprano, 2 tenors, baritone, 3 basses, chorus & orchetsra ('trilogie sacrée') H. 130 (Op. 25): Par
  5. L' Enfance du Christ, oratorio for soprano, 2 tenors, baritone, 3 basses, chorus & orchetsra ('trilogie sacrée') H. 130 (Op. 25): Par
  6. L' Enfance du Christ, oratorio for soprano, 2 tenors, baritone, 3 basses, chorus & orchetsra ('trilogie sacrée') H. 130 (Op. 25): Par
  7. L' Enfance du Christ, oratorio for soprano, 2 tenors, baritone, 3 basses, chorus & orchetsra ('trilogie sacrée') H. 130 (Op. 25): Par
  8. L' Enfance du Christ, oratorio for soprano, 2 tenors, baritone, 3 basses, chorus & orchetsra ('trilogie sacrée') H. 130 (Op. 25): Par
  9. L' Enfance du Christ, oratorio for soprano, 2 tenors, baritone, 3 basses, chorus & orchetsra ('trilogie sacrée') H. 130 (Op. 25): Par
  10. L' Enfance du Christ, oratorio for soprano, 2 tenors, baritone, 3 basses, chorus & orchetsra ('trilogie sacrée') H. 130 (Op. 25): Par
  11. L' Enfance du Christ, oratorio for soprano, 2 tenors, baritone, 3 basses, chorus & orchetsra ('trilogie sacrée') H. 130 (Op. 25): Par
  12. L' Enfance du Christ, oratorio for soprano, 2 tenors, baritone, 3 basses, chorus & orchetsra ('trilogie sacrée') H. 130 (Op. 25): Par
  13. L' Enfance du Christ, oratorio for soprano, 2 tenors, baritone, 3 basses, chorus & orchetsra ('trilogie sacrée') H. 130 (Op. 25): Par
  14. L' Enfance du Christ, oratorio for soprano, 2 tenors, baritone, 3 basses, chorus & orchetsra ('trilogie sacrée') H. 130 (Op. 25): Par
Music CD 19
  1. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('légende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Part 1
  2. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('légende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Part 1
  3. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('légende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Part 1
  4. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('légende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Part 2
  5. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('légende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Part 2
  6. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('l�©gende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Part 2
  7. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('l�©gende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Part 2
  8. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('l�©gende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Part 2
  9. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('l�©gende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Part 2
  10. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('légende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Part 2
  11. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('légende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Part 2
  12. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('légende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Part 2
  13. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('légende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Part 2
  14. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('légende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Part 2
  15. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('légende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Part 2
  16. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('légende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Part 2
  17. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('légende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Part 2
  18. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('légende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Part 2
  19. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('légende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Part 3
  20. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('légende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Part 3
Music CD 20
  1. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('légende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Part 3
  2. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('légende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Part 3
  3. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('légende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Part 3
  4. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('légende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Part 3
  5. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('légende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Part 3
  6. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('légende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Part 3
  7. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('légende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Part 3
  8. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('légende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Part 3
  9. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('légende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Part 4
  10. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('légende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Part 4
  11. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('légende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Part 4
  12. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('légende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Part 4
  13. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('légende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Part 4
  14. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('légende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Part 4
  15. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('légende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Part 4
  16. La Damnation de Faust, for mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chorus and orchestra, ('légende dramatique') H. 111 (Op. 24): Part 4
Music CD 21
  1. Requiem (Grande Messe des morts), for tenor, chorus & orchestra, H. 75 (Op. 5): 1. Requiem - Kyrie
  2. Requiem (Grande Messe des morts), for tenor, chorus & orchestra, H. 75 (Op. 5): 2. Dies irae - Tuba mirum
  3. Requiem (Grande Messe des morts), for tenor, chorus & orchestra, H. 75 (Op. 5): 3. Quid sum miser
  4. Requiem (Grande Messe des morts), for tenor, chorus & orchestra, H. 75 (Op. 5): 4. Rex tremendae
  5. Requiem (Grande Messe des morts), for tenor, chorus & orchestra, H. 75 (Op. 5): 5. Quaerens me
  6. Requiem (Grande Messe des morts), for tenor, chorus & orchestra, H. 75 (Op. 5): 6. Lacrimosa
  7. Requiem (Grande Messe des morts), for tenor, chorus & orchestra, H. 75 (Op. 5): 7. Domine, Jesu Christe
  8. Requiem (Grande Messe des morts), for tenor, chorus & orchestra, H. 75 (Op. 5): 8. Hostias
Music CD 22
  1. Requiem (Grande Messe des morts), for tenor, chorus & orchestra, H. 75 (Op. 5): 9. Sanctus
  2. Requiem (Grande Messe des morts), for tenor, chorus & orchestra, H. 75 (Op. 5): 10. Agnus Dei
  3. Te Deum, for tenor, 3 choruses, brass bands, organ & orchestra, H. 118 (Op. 22): Te Deum laudamus
  4. Te Deum, for tenor, 3 choruses, brass bands, organ & orchestra, H. 118 (Op. 22): Tibi omnes
  5. Te Deum, for tenor, 3 choruses, brass bands, organ & orchestra, H. 118 (Op. 22): Dignare
  6. Te Deum, for tenor, 3 choruses, brass bands, organ & orchestra, H. 118 (Op. 22): Christe, Rex gloriae
  7. Te Deum, for tenor, 3 choruses, brass bands, organ & orchestra, H. 118 (Op. 22): Te ergo quaesumus
  8. Te Deum, for tenor, 3 choruses, brass bands, organ & orchestra, H. 118 (Op. 22): Judex crederis
Music CD 23
  1. Les Nuits d'été, song cycle for voice & piano (or orchestra), H. 81 (Op. 7): 1. Villanelle. Quand viendra la saison nouvelle
  2. Les Nuits d'été, song cycle for voice & piano (or orchestra), H. 81 (Op. 7): 2. Le spectre de la rose. Soulève ta paupière close
  3. Les Nuits d'été, song cycle for voice & piano (or orchestra), H. 81 (Op. 7): 3. Sur les lagunes - Lamento. Ma belle amie est morte
  4. Les Nuits d'été, song cycle for voice & piano (or orchestra), H. 81 (Op. 7): 4. Absence. Reviens, reviens, ma bien-aimée!
  5. Les Nuits d'été, song cycle for voice & piano (or orchestra), H. 81 (Op. 7): 5. Au cimetière - Clair de lune. Connaissez-vous la blan
  6. Les Nuits d'�©t�©, song cycle for voice & piano (or orchestra), H. 81 (Op. 7): 6. L'�®le inconnue. Dites, la jeune belle!
  7. Lélio, ou Le retour à la vie, for soloists, chorus & orchestra ('monodrame lyrique'), H. 55 (Op. 14bis): 1. Le pêcheur. L'onde frémit
  8. LĂ©lio, ou Le retour Ă  la vie, for soloists, chorus & orchestra ('monodrame lyrique'), H. 55 (Op. 14bis): 2. ChÂ?ur des ombres. Froid d
  9. LĂ©lio, ou Le retour Ă  la vie, for soloists, chorus & orchestra ('monodrame lyrique'), H. 55 (Op. 14bis): 3. Chanson de brigands. J'au
  10. LĂ©lio, ou Le retour Ă  la vie, for soloists, chorus & orchestra ('monodrame lyrique'), H. 55 (Op. 14bis): 4. Chant de bonheur. Ă? mon b
  11. LĂ©lio, ou Le retour Ă  la vie, for soloists, chorus & orchestra ('monodrame lyrique'), H. 55 (Op. 14bis): 5. La harpe Ă©olienne - Souve
  12. L�©lio, ou Le retour �  la vie, for soloists, chorus & orchestra ('monodrame lyrique'), H. 55 (Op. 14bis): 6. Fantaisie sur la Temp�ªte
Music CD 24
  1. La Mort de Cléopâtre, for soprano & orchestra, H.36: C'en est donc fait!
  2. La Mort de Cléopâtre, for soprano & orchestra, H.36: Ah! qu'ils sont loin
  3. La Mort de Cléopâtre, for soprano & orchestra, H.36: Méditation. Grands Pharaons
  4. La Mort de Cléopâtre, for soprano & orchestra, H.36: Non!...non, de vos demeures funèbres
  5. La Mort de Cléopâtre, for soprano & orchestra, H.36: Dieux du Nil
  6. Herminie, cantata ('scène lyrique') for soprano & orchestra, H. 29: Récit. Quel trouble te poursuit
  7. Herminie, cantata ('scène lyrique') for soprano & orchestra, H. 29: Air. Ah! Si de la tendresse
  8. Herminie, cantata ('scène lyrique') for soprano & orchestra, H. 29: Récit. Que dis-je?
  9. Herminie, cantata ('scène lyrique') for soprano & orchestra, H. 29: Air. Arrête! Arrête! Cher Tancrède
  10. Herminie, cantata ('scène lyrique') for soprano & orchestra, H. 29: Récit. Que Clorinde est heureuse!
  11. Herminie, cantata ('sc�¨ne lyrique') for soprano & orchestra, H. 29: Air. Venez, venez, terribles armes!
  12. Herminie, cantata ('sc�¨ne lyrique') for soprano & orchestra, H. 29: Pri�¨re. Dieu des chr�©tiens!
  13. Herminie, cantata ('sc�¨ne lyrique') for soprano & orchestra, H. 29: Venez, venez, terribles armes!
  14. La Belle voyageuse ('Elle s'en va'), song for voice & piano (Neuf MĂ©lodies irlandaises), H. 42a, Op. 2/4
  15. Le Chasseur danois, for baritone & piano (or orchestra), H. 104
  16. La Captive for voice & piano (or orchestra), H. 60 (Op. 12)
  17. Le Jeune Pâtre breton, for voice & piano & horn ad lib (Fleurs des landes), H. 65 (Op. 13/4)
  18. Zaïde, boléro for voice, castsnets & piano or orchestra (Feuillets d'album), H. 107 (Op. 19/1)

Music reviews of Berlioz Edition (Box Set)

Music Review: Definitive modern performances of all Berlioz's masterpieces
Rating: 5 Stars

This album features the recorded Berlioz legacy of Colin Davis on Philips. It consists of three smaller Berlioz/Davis box sets crammed (very tightly) into a cardboard bookcase sleeve. These three compilations are Complete Orchestral Works (6 CDs), Complete Operas (9 CDs with the three mature operas) and a third set of Sacred Music, Symphonic Dramas and Orchestral Songs (9 CDs with The Damnation of Faust, the Requiem, Te Deum, L'enfance du Christ, and other vocal works with orchestra). Annoyingly, this arrangement results in two major duplications. The 1968 recording of Romeo and Juliet takes up two CDs in both the Complete Orchestral Works set AND the "Symphonic Dramas" set. Likewise, Davis's 1980 recording of Lélio shows up once in each set, so this ostensibly 24 CD album includes 2˝ CDs' worth of duplicate content. And though texts to the sacred works and orchestral songs are provided, your French had better be serviceable, since there are no translations given (and no texts at all for the operas). Thumbs down to Philips for these unfortunate gaffes.

But that's it for the bad news. A big thumbs up goes to Philips for the content, and for the commitment to Davis's recorded Berlioz legacy from the 1960s through the early 1980s. Thumbs up also for the opportunity to assemble it all "under one roof", especially if you can find the album at a discounted price (if not a bargain price of the sort associated with similar sets from Philips, EMI and occasionally even Deutsche Grammophon). Indeed this is an almost complete set of Berlioz's surviving compositions. All his major works are recorded here, and so are many minor ones. With the Amazon listing providing details on the contents, I'll try to list the principal "missing" items from Berlioz's extant oeuvre:

* Some surviving fragments of the early opera Les francs-juges (the overture does make an appearance)
* Some of the early Prix de Rome cantatas
* The early Messe Solenelle
* The complete Tristia (only the Hamlet funeral march appears)
* The Greek Revolution
* The Rob Roy overture, understandably omitted since it was withdrawn by Berlioz
* Eight scenes from Faust
* Various other choral works and non-orchestral songs, including Sara la baigneuse, 5th of May, Hymne à la France, Railroad Song, and the arrangement of La Marseillaise

As you can see from the list, Berlioz was practically unique among Romantic composers in writing both symphonies and operas, but no piano or chamber music! He was a maverick in other respects as well, and is often held out as a pioneer of the "modern orchestra" (large ensemble sizes, valved brass instruments, etc.). As a composer, he is generally held to be on the second tier of the great Romantic figures, a rung or so down from giants like Beethoven, Brahms and (more controversially) Wagner, but with an edge over most of the Nationalists (Grieg, Smetana, Rimsky-Korsakov, etc.). Berlioz is probably also the consensus choice for the most important French composer between the Baroque era and Debussy (bearing in mind that Franck was Belgian by our standards). The only serious competition for that accolade would seem to be Bizet or one of the other opera composers.

Beyond that, though, feelings about his music tend to vary, understandably so given his eccentric combination of unconventional phrasing, advanced orchestration, a Romantic outlook toward aesthetics, theater and musical form, and a mainly Classical-era sensibility toward harmony. Some people really like the color and unpredictability of his music. Others feel he lacked the melodic gift of a Tchaikovsky, the harmonic gift of a Beethoven, or the dramatic gift of a Wagner, resulting in an overall mediocrity. A few of his works, such as the Symphonie Fantastique and his arrangement of the Rákóczi March, have achieved iconic status and are popular even outside the circles of confirmed Berlioz fans. I personally have always been ambivalent about his work, struggling with the Beethoven-like complexity of form supporting melodic content dominated by an insistent and typically French lyricism. But I'm happy to have all his important works available to me in one attractive album, through the largesse of one of his most prestigious interpreters. Colin Davis was at the forefront of the mid-century Berlioz craze/revival, and is credited with stripping away the mid-20th Century adaptations of most Berlioz performances, even reintroducing modern copies of Berlioz's cornet and ophicleide where possible. Most of the Davis cycle features the LSO, John Alldis Choir, Royal Opera and a core of vocal soloists including British stars like Janet Baker, Robert Tear, Thomas Allen and Robert Lloyd, with the Swedish tenor Nicolai Gedda making significant appearances as Faust and Benvenuto Cellini.

Since the component recording in this album have been reviewed elsewhere (they're all reissues after all), I'll just note a few highlights, like the whimsy to the 7/4 passage in L'enfance du Christ, or the beautiful deep bass voice of Rouleau as the family patriarch in that same work, welcoming the fleeing Joseph and Mary preparatory to a choral fugue from this supposedly non-contrapuntally oriented composer. The Damnation of Faust features Nicolai Gedda's compelling interpretation of the title role, and the LSO Chorus takes the place of the otherwise ubiquitous John Alldis Choir on this justifiably acclaimed recording. The symphonies acquit themselves well in these interpretations, which marked the standard for performances of Berlioz on modern instruments. Check out the C major passage that begins about 2/3 of the way into the Pilgrims' March from Harold in Italy, and you'll hear the origin of practically any work by Alan Hovhaness (especially if you remove the solo viola arpeggios, leaving the walking bass beneath the sustained chorale chords that alternate between woodwinds and upper strings). It was thrilling to listen to the Grande Symphonie funèbre et triomphale for the first time in 20 years. This is probably the only substantial band piece written by a major 19th Century composer, though Davis does use the optional cellos and basses in the first movement (not heard until the recapitulation) and the optional strings and bombastic chorus parts in the third movement. Davis also uses cymbals for the instrument marked "cinelli" in the Breitkopf & Härtel edition (some say Berlioz had a Jiggling Johnny in mind). Perhaps the only general regret I have about these recordings is the reliance on great, but nevertheless non-native French speakers in the lead roles of the vocal works (e.g., Jon Vickers cracking a prominent note in Les Troyans).

I'm impressed with the cleanliness and detail in the analog-to-digital conversion of these recordings from a few decades ago. The string bowing sounds particularly crisp in works like the Symphonie Fantastique. The CD sleeves are stiff cardboard, except for the set devoted to orchestral works, where they're paper. I guess this helps keep the two sets of Romeo and Juliet recordings separate. Balance out this set with one or two historically informed performances from Norrington and Gardiner, and you'll get the best of both the modern and HIP approaches to Berlioz. If you're not interested in the operas, an intriguing alternative to this set is the Deutsche Grammophon set which is half the size (no operas), about the same price per CD (as I write this in early 2010), and features a variety of performers recorded with newer technology. Take your pick, set aside a few evenings to work through the CDs, and enjoy pondering the career of this intriguing and distinctive composer.
More Berlioz Edition (Box Set) free music reviews:
1

Description of Berlioz Edition (Box Set)

Sir Colin Davis has long been considered the world's finest Berlioz conductor, and over the years, Philips has released all of the composer's major works with Davis at the helm. Now, they're all here, in a 24-CD box, and it is an astonishing achievement. This treasure trove consists of the definitive, available readings of Les Troyens, Béatrice et Bénédict, and Benvenuto Cellini; a wonderfully energetic, passionate Roméo et Juliette; a Te Deum which is huge yet clear and not over-the-top for its own sake; Les Nuits d'été with different singers (of varying ranges in different songs), as Berlioz wanted them performed; the young Dame Janet Baker superb in Herminie and La Mort de Cléopatre; a relaxed, sweet Enfance du Christ; a Requiem which could knock you over; a Damnation de Faust which is both lyrical and exciting; a performance of Lélio which almost makes sense of that strange work; a Symphonie Fantastiquewith atmosphere and thrills; along with 7 overtures, 5 songs, and more. In addition to the moderate price, the packaging is such that the 24 CDs takes up less space than just the earlier releases of Cellini and Troyens together. This is one-stop shopping at its best. --Robert Levine

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Tchaikovsky (Life and Works (Naxos)) ImageTchaikovsky (Life and Works (Naxos))
by Malcolm Sinclair, Jeremy Siepmann
Naxos; Published: 2003-11; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $35.99
Jose Carreras - Jubileum Concert [VHS] ImageJose Carreras - Jose Carreras - Jubileum Concert [VHS]
Sling Shot; Release date: 2000-04-18; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $5.86
Price in other shops: $9.99
Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker / Nureyev, Park, Royal Ballet [VHS] ImageTchaikovsky - The Nutcracker / Nureyev, Park, Royal Ballet [VHS]
Kultur Video; Release date: 1997-09-09; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $29.89
Price in other shops: $29.95
Lonely Town Lonley Street / Sergeant's Early Dream [VHS] ImageRambert Dance Company - Lonely Town Lonley Street / Sergeant's Early Dream [VHS]
Kultur Video; Release date: 1997-10-28; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $14.99
Price in other shops: $29.95
Winter Music: Composing the North ImageWinter Music: Composing the North
by John Luther Adams
Wesleyan; Published: 2004-11-10; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $21.92
Price in other shops: $25.95
Puccini - La Fanciulla del West / Santi, Domingo, Neblett, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS] ImagePuccini - La Fanciulla del West / Santi, Domingo, Neblett, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS]
Kultur Video; Release date: 1999-05-25; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $6.38
Price in other shops: $29.95
Verdi - Falstaff / Giulini, Bruson, Ricciarelli, Nucci, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS] ImageVerdi - Falstaff / Giulini, Bruson, Ricciarelli, Nucci, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS]
Kultur Video; Release date: 1999-05-25; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $12.95
Price in other shops: $29.95
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