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BR Klassik

Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique / Davis, BRSO

$19.99

Details

Composer
Hector Berlioz
Artist
Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Format
CD
Label
BR Klassik
Released
Apr 19, 2024
Catalog #
BRK900220
UPC
4035719002201

About

The BR-KLASSIK label is now commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra (BRSO) in 2024 by releasing previously unreleased recordings of concerts worth listening to on CD and as a stream for the first time. Hector Berlioz's passionate "Symphonie fantastique," the nearly revolutionary symphonic masterpiece by the great French composer, was performed by Colin Davis with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra at Munich’s Philharmonie im Gasteig on January 15 and 16, 1987.

In his "Symphonie fantastique", subtitled "Episodes from the Life of an Artist", Berlioz combines the structures of the musical symphony with the form of a five-part classical drama. Using a leitmotif (an "idée fixe"), he narrates to the listener the story of the beloved woman of his dreams. The "Symphonie fantastique" thus paved the way for the symphonic poems of the Romantic period as well as the leitmotif method in Wagner's music dramas.

"I am still unknown," wrote Berlioz in June 1829 at the age of 25 – but he was certain that he could achieve resounding success with the idea of a major instrumental work. With his "Symphonie fantastique", he created a new kind of programmatic music. Berlioz was inspired by the works of Goethe and by Beethoven's symphonic music – and also by the fascination he felt for the Irish actress Harriet Smithson, whom he saw play Ophelia in Shakespeare's Hamlet at the Odéon Theatre in Paris on September 11, 1827. The "Idée fixe", the main theme, represents the artist going through his life story in various inner states of mind.

Tracklist 5 tracks

  1. 1 I. Rêveries: Largo - Passions: Allegro agitato e appassionato assai 15:56
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Rêveries: Largo - Passions: Allegro agitato e appassionato assai
    Duration
    15:56
    Composer
    Hector Berlioz
    Ensemble
    Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks
    Conductor
    Colin Davis
  2. 2 II. Un Bal (Valse): Allegro non troppo 06:43
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Un Bal (Valse): Allegro non troppo
    Duration
    06:43
    Composer
    Hector Berlioz
    Ensemble
    Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks
    Conductor
    Colin Davis
  3. 3 III. Scène aux Champs: Adagio 18:58
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Scène aux Champs: Adagio
    Duration
    18:58
    Composer
    Hector Berlioz
    Ensemble
    Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks
    Conductor
    Colin Davis
  4. 4 IV. Marche au Supplice: Allegretto non troppo 07:02
    Track
    4
    Title
    IV. Marche au Supplice: Allegretto non troppo
    Duration
    07:02
    Composer
    Hector Berlioz
    Ensemble
    Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks
    Conductor
    Colin Davis
  5. 5 V. Songe d'une Nuit du Sabbat: Larghetto - Allegro 10:23
    Track
    5
    Title
    V. Songe d'une Nuit du Sabbat: Larghetto - Allegro
    Duration
    10:23
    Composer
    Hector Berlioz
    Ensemble
    Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks
    Conductor
    Colin Davis