Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique

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Muti weighs up the musical contributions very neatly, never overpowering the intentionally slight nor attempting to tidy up [Lélio's] deliberately throwing six different pots of paint…at a single... — Gramophone Magazine, November 2015 More…

Release Date: 18th Sep 2015
Catalogue No: CSOR9011501
Label: CSO Resound
Length: 1 hour 54 minutes

Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14

Work length54:47

$12.00

$15.50

$21.00

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Riccardo Muti

I. Rêveries - Passions (Live)

Track length15:19

$4.00

$5.15

$7.00

II. Un bal (Live)

Track length6:45

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

III. Scène aux champs (Live)

Track length16:07

$4.00

$5.15

$7.00

IV. Marche au supplice (Live)

Track length6:40

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

V. Songe d’une nuit de sabbat (Live)

Track length9:56

$2.00

$2.60

$3.50

Berlioz: Lélio, ou Le Retour a la vie

Work length59:46

$16.00

$20.75

$28.00

Gérard Depardieu (narrator), Mario Zeffiri (tenor), Kyle Ketelsen (bass-baritone)
Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Chorus
Riccardo Muti

Narration. Dieu! Je vis encore (Live)

Track length2:31

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

I. Le pêcheur (Live)

Track length6:22

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

Narration. Étrange persistance d’un souvenir! (Live)

Track length2:21

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

II. Chœur d'ombres (Live)

Track length5:48

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

Narration. Ô Shakespeare! (Live)

Track length3:35

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

III. Chanson de brigands (Live)

Track length4:19

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

Narration. Comme mon esprit flotte incertain! (Live)

Track length1:45

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

IV. Chant de bonheur - Hymne (Live)

Track length6:26

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

Narration. Oh! Que ne puis-je la trouver (Live)

Track length1:26

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

V. La harpe éolienne - Souvenirs (Live)

Track length3:56

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

Narration. Mais pourquoi m'abandonner à ces dangereuses illusions? (Live)

Track length5:08

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

VI. Fantaisie sur "La tempête" de Shakespeare (Live)

Track length14:18

$3.00

$3.85

$5.25

Narration. Assez pour aujourd'hui! (Live)

Track length0:47

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

Coda. Allegro meno mosso (Live)

Track length1:04

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

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About

This recording features Berlioz's 'Symphonie fantastique' with its sequel 'Lelio' presented as Berlioz intended. Actor Gerard Depardieu is the narrator in 'Lelio', and Riccardo Muti and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, as part of their 120th season, give vibrant and dynamic performances of both works.

Riccardo Muti introduces the work Berlioz viewed as his signature artistic statement: the evening-long pairing of his most famous composition, the 'Symphonie fantastique', long a staple of the Chicago orchestra’s repertoire, and its little-known sequel, Lélio, never before performed by the CSO. Berlioz wrote Lélio as the “conclusion and complement” of the earlier work’s tortured tale, a response to the symphony’s cliff-hanger ending, and, above all, a testament to the healing power of music. Together, they formed the 'Episode in the Life of an Artist', a daring mix of autobiography and fantasy. Even during Berlioz’s lifetime, 'Lélio' was rarely performed with its companion, and, only once, in a performance staged by fellow pioneer Franz Liszt in 1855, did Berlioz see his complete dramatic work presented as he envisioned it. This new recording, from live semi-staged performances, attempts to recreate the essence of Berlioz’s own concept—moving from the realm of instrumental drama in the first half, to theatre in the second, as an actor takes the stage to tell Berlioz’s tale, while a simple scrim separates reality and creative fantasy—and draws a temporary line between a modern-day Chicago audience and the daring sounds of Berlioz’s imaginary world.

Reviews

November 2015

Muti weighs up the musical contributions very neatly, never overpowering the intentionally slight nor attempting to tidy up [Lélio's] deliberately throwing six different pots of paint…at a single canvas. A worthy performance

22nd October 2015

throughout the performance the technical excellence of the playing is most impressive: intonation, ensemble, balance and observance of the written dynamics and phrasing. Muti also follows the sudden changing moods and variations in texture, with off-beat accents and sudden blasts from the brass. He captures the authentic Berlioz glitter and holds the long line of the idée fixe together.

Classical Ear 16th October 2015

This is one of the loveliest accounts available, and although hardly short on drama – the ‘March to the Scaffold’ (with repeat) is especially good – manages the perennially tricky balance that Berlioz poses between classicism and romanticism with great skill. The highly dynamic sound is an added bonus, and the playing of the Chicago orchestra is superb.

Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique

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