BaL 29.11.25 - Berlioz: Harold in Italy

[Retune]

The website gives only the LSO Live label details:

Top choice:
Tabea Zimmermann (viola)
London Symphony Orchestra / Colin Davis (cond.)
LSO Live LSO0827

That's the code for the 'Berlioz Odyssey' box, which seems to be the only release of this currently on the LSO Live site (CDs out of stock, downloads only) - maybe they stopped selling the single release when they licensed it to Alto?

There were a few copies of the LSO Live single disc on ebay just now, search for 0822231104025 if anyone wants it.

The other Zimmermann version with Roth and Les Siècles was a runner-up. I was curious if Roth has now been 'rehabilitated' - looks like the SWR Orchestra have recently activated his contract and he's conducting again.

[Pulcinella]

Some single-CD copies of both the LSO and alto releases available via Amazon:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=berlioz+harold+in+italy+colin+davis+zimmermann&crid=34AIJ6VWM1OQ1&sprefix=berlioz+harold+in+italy+colin+davis+zimmermann%2Caps%2C75&ref=nb_sb_noss

I'm not sure why/how the score cropped up as a consequence of my restricted search!

[Barbirollians]

I have the winner - its very good but my favourite remains the Menuhin/Davis .

[oliver sudden]

I was curious if Roth has now been 'rehabilitated' - looks like the SWR Orchestra have recently activated his contract and he's conducting again.

He conducted an SWR concert here in Köln last night and it was an absolute rip-snorter. Lachenmann Ausklang as part of their Helmut Happy 90th event, and Beethoven 7, the latter with natural horns and almost-natural trumpets and with the basses all in a row at the back, bouncing their sound off the wall and grinning like maniacs, although to be fair so was pretty much the entire band. Apparently it was his first concert here since the Köln opera spent an absurd amount of money to terminate his contract—I have no idea whether or how or to what extent that affected the audience’s response. I do hope a way forward that’s fair to all parties can be found because frankly that was an absolutely stupendous evening’s musicking.

[Petrushka]

He conducted an SWR concert here in Köln last night and it was an absolute rip-snorter. Lachenmann Ausklang as part of their Helmut Happy 90th event, and Beethoven 7, the latter with natural horns and almost-natural trumpets and with the basses all in a row at the back, bouncing their sound off the wall and grinning like maniacs, although to be fair so was pretty much the entire band. Apparently it was his first concert here since the Köln opera spent an absurd amount of money to terminate his contract—I have no idea whether or how or) to what extent that affected the audience’s response. I do hope a way forward that’s fair to all parties can be found because frankly that was an absolutely stupendous evening’s musicking.

It's on the ARD Klassik website if anyone wants to check it out (not sure how to do links on my phone sorry).

[HighlandDougie]

While no-one ought to condone his frankly stupid behaviour, I suspect that he realises quite how much hurt he caused and is a reformed sinner, as it were. Despite the negative comments about him on this board (cf. John Wilson), I'm a big fan of his music-making, not least with the LSO. I still think that his 'Daphnis et Chloë' is wonderful. Pierre Monteux would have approved, I'm sure.

[Barbirollians]

I think it goes somewhat beyond stupid behaviour if the reports are correct. I trust he is reformed - I imagine any repeat of that behaviour would be the end of his career.

[Lordgeous]

I have the winner - its very good but my favourite remains the Menuhin/Davis .

It must be me! I love Berlioz but this piece has always elluded me and nothing in this BAL sparked any further interest I'm afraid. For me its just dull and tedious with none of the Berioz sparkle. Help!

[richardfinegold]

It must be me! I love Berlioz but this piece has always elluded me and nothing in this BAL sparked any further interest I'm afraid. For me its just dull and tedious with none of the Berioz sparkle. Help!

The 2 inner movements are the best, similar to Tchaikovsky Manfred. So it isn’t you. It must be Byron!

[smittims]

As someone who's always loved this work (all four movements!) since I first heard it I find it hard to imagine anyone not falling for its charms, let alone someone who likes Berlioz' other music. Mehuhin's HMV disc with Colin Davis was my introduction to it . It's full of haunting moments, such as the soloist's reappearance towards the end of the fourth movement, having been absent for about eight minutes, accompanied, I think, by two distant solo violins .

[richardfinegold]

As someone who's always loved this work (all four movements!) since I first heard it I find it hard to imagine anyone not falling for its charms, let alone someone who likes Berlioz' other music. Mehuhin's HMV disc with Colin Davis was my introduction to it . It's full of haunting moments, such as the soloist's reappearance towards the end of the fourth movement, having been absent for about eight minutes, accompanied, I think, by two distant solo violins .

It’s done well in concert halls and recordings in the past two centuries. It probably would have fared better if:
1) It was more of a Viola Concerto, and
2) it wasn’t overshadowed-just a bit- by Berlioz more famous S-F and Requiem, both of which have plenty of fireworks that create expectations that aren’t quite met by Harold

[Nick Armstrong]

It must be me! I love Berlioz but this piece has always elluded me and nothing in this BAL sparked any further interest I'm afraid. For me it’s ’m just dull and tedious with none of the Berioz sparkle. Help!

I’m with you!

It’s like an extended version of that tedious Scène aux Champs middle movement from Symphonie Fantastique

[LMcD]

I think it goes somewhat beyond stupid behaviour if the reports are correct. I trust he is reformed - I imagine any repeat of that behaviour would be the end of his career.

English summary of the latest news on the orchestra's website:
A fresh allegation was posted on Instagram in September when his reinstatement was announced. The allegation was was investigated, a discussion was held with the accuser, the post in question was deleted and his reinstatement was confirmed..

[smittims]

Interestingly, Paganini's own viola concerto, which he wrote after his disappointment with Berlioz, hasn' t become well-known. I remember Salvatore Accardo recording it many years go with the other Paganini concertos. It's good to know that Paganini regretted his decision and gave Berlioz a lump sum which enabled him to take a year off and compose Romeo et Juliette, surely one of his masterpieces.

[Barbirollians]

There is also a splendid Monteux recording once on Tahra.