Berlioz: Requiem; Symphonie funèbre et triomphale

Hector Berlioz (Composer), Colin Davis (Conductor), London Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Ronald Dowd (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Ronald Dowd
• Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Colin Davis
• Composer: Hector Berlioz
• Audio CD (March 13, 2007)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Philips
• ASIN: B000GYHZ6M
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,877 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #30 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Early Music > Forms & Genres > Requiems
  • #38 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Early Music > Sacred & Religious
  • #40 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Requiems, Elegies & Tombeau > Requiems

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's back, ladies and gentleman, October 18, 2007

By 

Samuel Stephens "aka "Hector"" (TN, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Berlioz: Requiem; Symphonie funèbre et triomphale (Audio CD)

Here is reissued the recording that got me to love Berlioz's music. For a long time now I have sought after this recording (before I had only borrowed it from the library), and finally here it is once again.
It contains two extraordinary Berlioz works. The first is, of course, the monumental Requiem. And here monumental is not merely an accolade, it is reality. What we have here sonically is an earth-shattering performance that makes you realize that Berlioz REALLY MEANT what he said. But the earth-shattering scenarios weren't Berlioz's only concern. His quiet moments are as dominent, such as the Quid sum miser, which Schumann says brought tears to his eyes.
The other great work on here is Berlioz's OTHER Symphonie F. The Grande Symphonie funebre et triomphale. It was written for French Military band, so if you find the pervasive mood to be 'marchful'...well yes, exactly. Wagner once said that to hear this symphony, one should feel proud to be a frenchman. Well yes, exactly.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Berlioz: Romantic AND Classicist-with French polish, January 15, 2009

By 

Joe Anthony "Joe Anthony" (Massachusetts, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Berlioz: Requiem; Symphonie funèbre et triomphale (Audio CD)

Some people may think that the conductor Colin Davis is boring, but I find his approach to Berlioz quite appropriate. Although some conductors (like, say, Leonard Bernstein) may want to really give Berlioz "the works" as the strive to play up the composers wildly imaginative music; what should also be preserved is Berlioz' more sophisticated and delicate side. Berlioz is easy to overplay. Davis' method of understatement does the music justice in that it allows the simple and organic beauty of the Requiem to be heard. Yes, Berlioz was a powerful Romantic, but also something of a classicist with some French polish.

The Requiem itself is a wonderful piece of music, as whatever recording you obtain of it will probably reveal. It is, first of all a very, very, long work that keeps the listener interested through profound solemness, as well as, thoughtful creativity. The second to last movement with tenor solo is quite moving. As the soloist sings "santos", the crashing cymbals gently accentuate. The final movement is also quite mesmerizing as the orchestra lovingly modulates and creates a trance-like atmosphere. It is indeed a moving experience-and I am not much a fan of most requiems!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Remarkable Performance, January 19, 2010

By 

J. Rich - See all my reviews

This review is from: Berlioz: Requiem; Symphonie funèbre et triomphale (Audio CD)

Sir Colin Davis is known for his Berlioz recordings by fans and critics alike. This, to my knowledge, is Davis' only recording Berlioz's "Requiem" and what a fine one it is!

I have three other versions of this requiem: Munch's on RCA, Spano's and Shaw's both on Telarc. I have heard all four versions I own and have done some comparisons. One thing remarkably clear in Davis' recording is his incredible ear for the innerworkings of the structure and how to bring out the darker elements of the composition. The choral singing is outstanding quite possibly some of the best I've heard on any recording. The orchestral accompaniment is also evenly paced, well-balanced, and powerful when it needs to be. The London Symphony Orchestra also plays great.

Another bonus for me is Philips warm analog sound. I own many (and I do mean many) Philips recordings and they always have such great warmth and clarity. This recording is no different.

The performance of "Symphony Funebre et Triomphale" is also very good and I have actually already heard this performance in this set: Berlioz: Complete Orchestral Works, which is now sadly out-of-print.

This is the greatest recording I've heard of the very difficult to play and sing "Requiem." I'm still on the lookout for a more superior recording, but I have yet to find one. Highly recommended.