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Berlioz: Harold In Italy, Overtures / Munch, Boston SO


Release Date: 06/26/2007 
Label:  Rca Victor Living Stereo Catalog #: 708280   Spars Code: ADD 
Composer:  Hector Berlioz
Performer:  William Primrose
Conductor:  Charles Munch
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Boston Symphony Orchestra
Number of Discs: 1 
Recorded in: Multi 
Length: 72 Hours 12 Mins. 

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Notes and Editorial Reviews

This is a hybrid Super Audio CD playable on both regular and Super Audio CD players.


My colleague Christophe Huss at CTFrance.com put his finger right on the button when he described this performance as "Perhaps not the best finale, but just perfect everywhere else." It's true that Munch isn't quite as frenzied as, say, Toscanini, Bernstein (Sony), or the recent Davis (LSO) in the concluding "orgy of brigands", but this being Munch he's certainly exciting enough. And you won't hear a more exciting opening movement, a more atmospheric pilgrim's march, or a more delicious serenade. Certainly this is one of the two or three Harolds that no self-respecting Berlioz Read more collection should be without.

So it is also with the overtures. This Corsair, along with Beecham's, sets the standard. Benvenuto Cellini has tremendous gusto, Béatrice and Bénédict offers unsurpassed elegance and wit. The sonics are extremely vivid in all formats. Although remastered as a three-channel SACD, I personally prefer listening in either normal or SACD stereo. It's simply amazing how well so many of Munch's performances have held up over the decades. As most collectors already know, he always was at his best in Berlioz, and no doubt these performances will continue to hold a position of honor for many years to come.

--David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com
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Works on This Recording

1.
Le corsaire Overture, Op. 21 by Hector Berlioz
Conductor:  Charles Munch
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Boston Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1844; France 
 Length: 8 Minutes 3 Secs. 
2.
Le carnaval romain Overture, Op. 9 by Hector Berlioz
Conductor:  Charles Munch
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Boston Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1843-1844; France 
 Length: 8 Minutes 6 Secs. 
3.
Harold en Italie, Op. 16 by Hector Berlioz
Performer:  William Primrose (Viola)
Conductor:  Charles Munch
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Boston Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1834; France 
4.
Béatrice et Bénédict: Overture by Hector Berlioz
Conductor:  Charles Munch
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Boston Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1860-1862; France 
5.
Benvenuto Cellini: Overture, Op 23 by Hector Berlioz
Conductor:  Charles Munch
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Boston Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1834-1837; France 

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