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Hector Berlioz: Essential Recordings

The music of Hector Berlioz suffered considerable neglect in the 20th century, as few major conductors or soloists championed his cause. This situation has changed considerably in recent years, and as we celebrate the 200th anniversary of his birth this year, there is a whole new flood of discs to help music lovers get acquainted with his unique genius. These include many excellent, budget-priced recordings. Below is a sampling of Berlioz recordings selected by the Music Department of WNYC. Most of the recordings here can be found on Amazon.com or in major record stores.
  • Symphonie fantastique
    Orchestre de Paris / Christoph Eschenbach (Astree/Naïve)
    London Symphony Orchestra / Sir Colin Davis (modern instruments) (LSO Live LSO0007)

  • Harold in Italy
    Gérard Caussé viola Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique / Sir John Eliot Gardiner (period instruments) Philips F 446 676-2PH
    Nobuko Imai va London Symphony Orchestra / Sir Colin Davis (modern instruments) (Philips 442 290-2PM2)

  • La damnation de Faust
    Enkelejda Shkosa mez Giuseppe Sabbatini ten David Wilson-Johnson bar Michele Pertusi bass; London Symphony Chorus and Orchestra / Sir Colin Davis (LSO Live LSO0008)

  • L'enfance du Christ
    Jean Rigby mez John Aler, Peter Evans tens Alastair Miles, Gwynne Howell basses Choir of St Paul's Cathedral; Corydon Singers and Orchestra / Matthew Best Hyperion (CDA6699)

  • Grande Messe des morts (Requiem). Te Deum
    Ronald Dowd, Franco Tagliavini tens Nicolas Kynaston org Wandsworth School Boys' Choir; London Symphony Chorus and Orchestra / Sir Colin Davis (Philips 464 689-2)

  • Les nuits d'été
    Régine Crespin mez Suisse Romande Orchestra / Ernest Ansermet (Decca 460 973-2)

  • Roméo et Juliette
    Catherine Robbin mez Jean-Paul Fouchécourt ten Gilles Cachemaille bar Monteverdi Choir; Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique / Sir John Eliot Gardiner (period instruments) (Philips 454 454-2PH2)
    Daniela Barcellona mez Kenneth Tarver ten Orlin Anastassov bass London Symphony Chorus and Orchestra / Sir Colin Davis (modern instruments) (LSO Live LSO0003)

  • Béatrice et Bénédict
    Soloists; Chorus and Orchestra of the Opéra de Lyon / John Nelson (Erato 2292-45773-2)

  • Benvenuto Cellini
    Soloists; Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden; BBC Symphony Orchestra / Sir Colin Davis Philips F @ 416 955-2PH3 or Philips B (456 387-2PB9)

  • Les Troyens
    Soloists; London Symphony Chorus and Orchestra / Sir Colin Davis LSO Live. (LSO0010)
    Orchestra and Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden / Sir Colin Davis (Philips 416 432-2)

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