Berlioz Edition (Box Set) [Box set]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Sir Colin Davis has long been considered the world's finest Berlioz conductor, and over the years, Philips has released all of the composer's major works with Davis at the helm. Now, they're all here, in a 24-CD box, and it is an astonishing achievement. This treasure trove consists of the definitive, available readings of Les Troyens, Béatrice et Bénédict, and Benvenuto Cellini; a wonderfully energetic, passionate Roméo et Juliette; a Te Deum which is huge yet clear and not over-the-top for its own sake; Les Nuits d'été with different singers (of varying ranges in different songs), as Berlioz wanted them performed; the young Dame Janet Baker superb in Herminie and La Mort de Cléopatre; a relaxed, sweet Enfance du Christ; a Requiem which could knock you over; a Damnation de Faust which is both lyrical and exciting; a performance of Lélio which almost makes sense of that strange work; a Symphonie Fantastiquewith atmosphere and thrills; along with 7 overtures, 5 songs, and more. In addition to the moderate price, the packaging is such that the 24 CDs takes up less space than just the earlier releases of Cellini and Troyens together. This is one-stop shopping at its best. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Essential Performances from a Great & Beloved Singer.......2004-01-09

For those of us who grew up on Janet Baker's recordings (and were lucky enough to hear her "live" as well), the sound of her voice and her singular artstic personality - British restraint coupled with fierce emotional and spiritual commitment - are indelibly imprinted in our minds and hearts. The closest current equivalent is Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, another superb artist who has charted her own course, and not surprisingly there is some overlap of repertoire, in the music of J.S. Bach, of course, but also Berlioz's Didon and Beatrice, Handel's Ariodante and Britten's Phaedra (composed for Baker).
This wonderful compilation is complementary to EMI's 2-CD "The Very Best of Janet Baker" -- no overlap of repertoire whatsoever. Unlike that set, which focused on concert repertoire (with orchestra or piano) there's a generous sampling here of Baker's operatic roles including Handel, Mozart, Purcell, Rameau, Gluck, and Britten. Also welcome is "Phaedra," one of Britten's strongest late works. And it's good to have the Berlioz: "Cleopatre" and "Herminie" complete, the big aria from "Beatrice et Benedict." (Why EMI included nothing from her recording of the last 2 scenes of "Les Troyens" is unfathomable.) The wide time-span allows us to hear Baker's voice in all its youthful, "sappy" warmth, as well as in its artistic maturity (though truth to tell she was pretty much a complete artist from the start). There are a few signs of wear in later items, nothing serious, in fact rather less than I remembered. I could have done with fewer of the "Arie Amorose" in favor of more cuts from her Gluck LP, which I believe has never been issued complete on CD, but that's just personal preference. The focus here is entirely on orchestrally accompanied works (or, in the case of the marvelous early disc of Ravel, Chausson & Delage songs, with chamber ensemble) so for Baker the supreme interpreter of English, German and French song you'll need to go elsewhere (the EMI has a fair sampling, especially of her Schubert). But everything here is indispensible.

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Berlioz Edition (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Te Deum | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000093OSH
Release Date: 2003-12-16

Amazon.com

Sir Colin Davis has long been considered the world's finest Berlioz conductor, and over the years, Philips has released all of the composer's major works with Davis at the helm. Now, they're all here, in a 24-CD box, and it is an astonishing achievement. This treasure trove consists of the definitive, available readings of Les Troyens, Béatrice et Bénédict, and Benvenuto Cellini; a wonderfully energetic, passionate Roméo et Juliette; a Te Deum which is huge yet clear and not over-the-top for its own sake; Les Nuits d'été with different singers (of varying ranges in different songs), as Berlioz wanted them performed; the young Dame Janet Baker superb in Herminie and La Mort de Cléopatre; a relaxed, sweet Enfance du Christ; a Requiem which could knock you over; a Damnation de Faust which is both lyrical and exciting; a performance of Lélio which almost makes sense of that strange work; a Symphonie Fantastiquewith atmosphere and thrills; along with 7 overtures, 5 songs, and more. In addition to the moderate price, the packaging is such that the 24 CDs takes up less space than just the earlier releases of Cellini and Troyens together. This is one-stop shopping at its best. --Robert Levine

Decca Recordings, 1965-1972 (Limited Edition)

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Stokowski in Phase 4 land, Vol. 1
Stupendous Stokowski

Decca Recordings, 1965-1972 (Limited Edition)

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Original Masters: Leopold Stokowski: Decca Recordings 1964-1975 [BOX SET]
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Dvorak: Symphony No7;Symphony No8;Symphony No9
CARL SCHURICHT Decca Recordings 1949-1956

ASIN: B0000B0A0P
Release Date: 2003-11-25

Customer Reviews:

Stokowski in Phase 4 land, Vol. 1.......2006-09-22

Decca has pulled a lot of Stokowski's gaudy Phase 4 recordings off the market so that they can reappear in this box set, but the company had already licensed many out to another label, Cala, that specializes in all things Stokowski. So if you pick and choose, you can buy your favorites recordings individually with a little effort. Of the two volumes in the Original Masters series, this one is the more interesting musically.

For one thing, it features two of the conductor's great strengths: his incomparable Bach transcriptions (no one else performs them with the same total commitment) and his Debussy and Ravel. Admittedly, this La Mer and Daphnis and Chloes have been multi-miked within an inch of their lives, and neither represents Stokowski as wonderuflly as his EMI Debussy collection, but if you love the old magician, you'll love these readings.

Aslo very appealing are the Enigma Variations, which Stokowski recorded only once, and the Franck D minor Sym., though don't expect world-class execution in either case. Stokowski championed early Messiaen in l'Ascension, and here is his last version, along with a swooning and seductive Scriabin Poeme d'Extase.

You have to adore recorded excess to swallow this Symphonie fantastique and Firebird, both gorgeous in a kind of Las Vegas neon billboard sort of way. But for geneations of listeners, that's what Stokowski is all about. What he's not about, sadly, is the wretchedly eccentric and nearly unlistenable Tchaikovsky Fifth Sym., the only performance in this whole set that made me hold my nose.

In all, thee are enough goodie here to justify buying the whole box, unless you want to pick and choose, in which case turn to Cala's excellent reissues.

Stupendous Stokowski.......2004-03-30

This five disc box set featuring the Decca Recordings (1965-72) of conductor Leopold Stokowski is among the latest batch of releases in the limited edition "Original Masters" series. While parts of this particular collection have been available on CD in the past (in the old "Phase 4" and "Weekend Classics" series), some of this material is being made available for the first time internationally. Those performances include Franck's Symphony (Hilversium RPO, 1970), Elgar's Enigma Variations (Czech PO, 1972), Ravel's "Fanfare" (Hilversium, 1970) and Messiaen's "L'Ascension" (London SO, 1970). Other highlights include an entire disc (CD1) of Stokowski's Transcriptions, and a delightful reading of Berlioz's "Symphonie Fantastique" with the New Philharmonia Orchestra from 1968. In all, another great set in the "Original Masters" series.

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Grand Opera Choruses / Kubelik

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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World's Greatest Choruses
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Release Date: 1998-05-12

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Nabucco: Va, pensiero - (Chorus Of The Hebrew Slaves)
Il Trovatore: Vedi! Le fosche - (Anvil Chorus)
Norma: Squilla il bronzo del dio!...Guerra, guerra!
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Pagliacci: I zampognari!...Don, din, don (Bell Chorus)
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O Holy Night / Luciano Pavarotti / Special Deluxe Edition (Decca)

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Excellence
O Holy Night
For the meaning of Christmas --
The Maestro

O Holy Night / Luciano Pavarotti / Special Deluxe Edition (Decca)

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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#1 Christmas Album
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Christmas Adagios

ASIN: B000B8I8SM
Release Date: 2005-10-11

Tracks:

O holy night (Minuit chren)
PietSignore
Panis Angelicus
Qual Giglio Candido
Ave Maria
Gesbino
Che farnza Euridice
Cujus animam gementem
Ingemisco
Ave Maria: arr. from Bach's Prelude No.1 BWV 846
Mille cherubini in coro (arr. after Schubert)
Agnus Dei
Sanctus
Adeste Fideles (O come, all ye faithful)
O Jesu mi ducissime
Ave verum corpus (attrib.)
Ave Maria, Dolce Maria

Amazon.com

This CD is a compilation of (mainly) devotional music sung by Pavarotti when he was in or near his prime, most going back, gloriously, to 1976. Precisely what Orfeo's lament (from the Gluck opera) is doing in a recital called "O Holy Night" is beyond me, but the rest of the selections are well chosen. The title song is gorgeously enough performed to be worth the album's asking price, the tenor's voice ringing out with great clarity and beauty, and the selection from Rossini's Stabat Mater is even more thrilling, with its ascent to high D flat near its close. Verdi's "Ingemisco," from his Requiem, is handsomely and sensitively delivered, and the others elections, with or without choir, are simply stunning. A CD for Christmas and the rest of the year as well. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Excellence.......2007-06-27

My first opera cd, and it won't be my last. Real music! What a joy!!

O Holy Night.......2007-02-17

It is such a pleasure to listen to Luciano Pavorotti's Christmas songs, it is such a treat to listen to these lovely songs he sings. Excellent.

For the meaning of Christmas --.......2006-11-02

For enjoying the spirit of the Christmas season, I rely on The Time Life Platinum Christmas Collection, "Treasury of Christmas I", 3 CD set of 36 songs by various artists, UPC 1130-11311-2. But for the MEANING of Christmas, only Pavarotti's renditions of these timeless, beautiful songs meet the challange. I've listened to others, from Il Divo to Carerras and Domingo, but none meld the scores, arrangements and precise delivery and have the same effect upon the listener. This is Pavarotti, the ultimate tenor, recorded at his best.

The Maestro.......2006-01-15

These are the great musical selections that only Pavarotti can do justice. To put them into the hands of someone else would be a disservice to both the composer and the listener.

Romantic Callas (Special Collector's Edition)

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Romantic Callas (Special Collector's Edition)

Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00005Q2X3
Release Date: 2001-10-22

Tracks:

Un Bel Di Vedremo
O Soave Fanciulla
Come Per Me Sereno
E Il Sol Dell Anima
Caro Nome
Libiamo Ne Lieti Calici
Parigi O Cara
Tacea La Notte Placida
Non La Sospiri La Nostra Casetta
Vissi Darte
Qual Tiamma Avea Nel Guardo
Vogliatemi Bene
O Terra Addio
Regnava Nel Silenzio
Verranno A Te Sull Aure
Mon Coeur Sourve A Ta Voix
Comme Autreiois
Non Tu Ne M Aimes Pas
Damour Lardente Flamme
Des Cris Joyeux
Non Mi Dir
Caro Oggetto
Son Geloso Del Zefiro Errante
Non Sai Tu Che Se Lanima Mia
Voi Lo Sapete O Mamma
Nedda Silvio A Questora
Poveri Fiori
Oh Saro La Piu Bella

Album Description

Follow up to EMI Classics' 'Popular Music From TV, Film & Opera'. Featuring a selection of the tragic diva's most memorable arias alongside duets with other great artists including Giuseppe di Stefano & Nicolai Gedda. Repertoire is taken from the great works of Puccini, Verdi, Bellini, Bizet & many more. This special set includes two CDs (28 tracks), a luxury 100-page booklet containing stunning photos, most of which have never been used before, some of which were obtained from the Callas auction last year, all housed in a deluxe slipcase. 2001.

Album Details

A Selection of Callas' Most Memorable Arias Alongside Duets with Other Great Artists Including Giuseppe Di Stefano and Nicolai Gedda. This Edition is Presented with a 100-page Booklet Including Many Stunning Photos of Callas.

Karajan Edition - Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique Etc.

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Classic Karajan

Karajan Edition - Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique Etc.

Manufacturer: EMI Records [All429]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000006313
Release Date: 2000-09-12

Tracks:

Overture
Hungarian March
Royal Hunt And Storm
I: Reveries, Passions: Largo - Allegro Agitato E Appassionato Assai
II: Un Bal: Valse. Allegro Non Troppo
III: Scene Aux Champs: Adagio
IV: Marche Au Supplice: Allegretto Non Troppo
V: Songe D'Une Nuit Du Sabbat: Larghetto/Allegro/Allegro Assai/Allegro/Un Peu Retenu/(Ronde Du Sabbat) - Animez Un Peu

Customer Reviews:

Classic Karajan.......2003-07-31

Once upon a time, in the days before the advent of stereo, this account of Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique by Herbert von Karajan and the Philharmonia Orchestra was regarded as the definitive recording. Of course this 1954 performance was supplanted shortly by Charles Munch's stereo version on RCA, but today it remains, along with Van Beinum's (which was recently included in his "Original Masters" boxed set -- see my review), as a jewel of the great, late mono era. The remaining Berlioz pieces by Karajan and the Philharmonia are all in stereo, recorded in 1958 & '59. All of the Karajan Edition EMI CDs seem to be succumbing slowly to the silent deletion axe, so interested parties should act fast to acquire this title.

Average customer rating:

Good Boxed Berlioz....especially for the price

Hector Berlioz Edition (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Customer Reviews:

Good Boxed Berlioz....especially for the price.......2003-09-03

This is a banner year for Berlioz fanatics. The Bicentennial of the composer's birth is brings new performances of his work out of mothballs. There hasn't been such a buzz about the composer since the late 60s Berlioz "revival" led by Colin Davis. Even the Metropolitan Opera is getting in on the act...with a new production of Les Troyens last season and the Met premiere of Benvenuto Cellini later this season. For those of us who love the composer, this is the best news possible.

As part of this Bicentennial celebration, Brilliant Classics has re-released recordings of most of the major non-operatic Berlioz pieces as recorded by Eliahu Inbal and the Radio Symphony of Frankfurt. These are good solid performances...not innovative or groundbreaking. But at the boxed set price, you can't beat them. It's a laughably cheap way to collect so many great works by this French master.

The CD includes good solid performances of Berlioz staples, Symphonie Fantastique and Harold in Italy. Inbal emphasizes Berlioz' energy and almost classical sense of balance. This is not a Symphony Fantastique to wow you with it's sonic brilliance, but it is a good solid reading of the work. Likewise, the Harold is beautifully played, if not overly exciting. In Inbal's hands Berlioz' instrumental works resemble nothing so much as Mendelsohn, a comparison that I don't believe is as far fetched as it may at first sound.

The CD also includes most of the composer's other large works. The Romeo and Juliet is beautiful. The singers, while not first rate, are more than up to the job and the interpretation is well balanced between surging romanticism and classical formalism. Inbal gets just the right tension here in this work. You can hear the future traces of Wagner in the work, and yet it is not so very far from it's Beethovenian roots. The Damnation of Faust is also a solid performance, and if I don't like it quite as much as the Colin Davis version, it is mostly because of the lesser quality of the singing. Try as he might, Denys Guylas just can't match Nicolai Gedda in tone, lyricism and sheer ecstasy. The bos includes a charming rendition of Berlioz' most charming work, L'Enfance du Christ. This piece is light, lyrical, and should be more of a Christmas staple than it is. The set is also rounded out by a good reading of the Berlioz Requiem and a brilliant reading of the Te Deum.