Search - Hector Berlioz, Sir Thomas Beecham, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra :: Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique/ Le Corsaire/ Les Troyens

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique/ Le Corsaire/ Les Troyens
Hector Berlioz, Sir Thomas Beecham, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique/ Le Corsaire/ Les Troyens
Genre: Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (8) - Disc #1


     
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CD Details

All Artists: Hector Berlioz, Sir Thomas Beecham, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Francaise National Radio Orchestra
Title: Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique/ Le Corsaire/ Les Troyens
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: EMI Classics
Original Release Date: 1/1/2003
Re-Release Date: 4/8/2003
Album Type: Original recording remastered
Genre: Classical
Styles: Opera & Classical Vocal, Historical Periods, Modern, 20th, & 21st Century, Symphonies
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 724356797222
 

CD Reviews

Berlioz + Beecham = Brilliant!
Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 09/20/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sir Thomas Beecham may have been an Englishman, but you'd never know it from this recording. After listening to his glorious 1959 account Berlioz's "Symphonie Fantastique," you'd swear he was French. Beecham's golden-age stereo recording with the Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Francaise makes a welcome return to compact disc with this reissue, and its inclusion in the "Great Recordings of the Century" series is thoroughly justified. I have many celebrated recordings of Berlioz's great work, including those by Munch, Ormandy, Bernstein, Cluytens, Argenta, and Paray among others, and Beecham's beats them all in capturing the French spirit of this timeless piece. Toss in memorable performances of the "Le Corsaire" Overture (1958), and the Trojan March and Royal Hunt & Storm from "Les Troyens" (1959 & '57 respectively), and you have an essential disc."
Penguin Guide 3 star, Key, Rosette recording
Fred Von Lohmann | San Francisco, CA United States | 07/06/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)

"According to Penguin's 2005/6 guide, this recording of Berlioz' Symphonie Fantastique "still enjoys classic status and remains unsurpassed." 3 out of 3 stars, a "key" recording, and Rosette (all the highest accolades Penguin offers to recordings)."
Amazing Performance Restored Very Well Indeed
Aronne | 02/20/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This classic Beecham performance is given a rosette in the Penguin Guide for a very good reason. The performance is thrilling. Beecham never lets the tension drop, making this Symphonie fantastique better than any other I've heard.



It would not be so fine except that EMI did a fabulous job restoring the 1957 recording. Though the recording occasionally shows its age, it is generally in the best sense: this is a robust analogue recording.



The fillers are all as fabulous as the main item, welcome make-weights to this essential Berlioz album. The March from Les Troyens is a rousing arrangement of the work that generally is sung by chorus with Cassandra going on about the destruction of Troy in the foreground. This version is wonderful too (though it can't compare with the original - WOW). The Royal Hunt and Storm is performed with choir (and very well too). Other performances of this work invite comparison to this recording - and rarely is it favorable.



Anyone with a love for Berlioz's music should have at least heard this CD!"