Berlioz - Romantische Fantasien

Review by Dennis Johnson

Berlioz's Romantische Fantasien is a stunning album that showcases the composer's mastery of orchestration and his ability to convey intense emotions through music. The album features some of Berlioz's most beloved works, including the Symphonie fantastique and the Roman Carnival Overture, as well as lesser-known gems like the Harold en Italie symphony.

The Symphonie fantastique, in particular, is a tour-de-force of orchestral color and drama. Berlioz's vivid musical descriptions of his own obsessive love for a woman, culminating in a hallucinatory witches' sabbath, are both thrilling and unsettling. The Roman Carnival Overture, on the other hand, is a lively and joyful celebration of Italian folk music, with its catchy melodies and sparkling orchestration.

Throughout the album, Berlioz's music is performed with passion and precision by the Orchestre National de Lyon, under the direction of Leonard Slatkin. The orchestra's lush sound and impeccable technique bring out the full range of Berlioz's musical vision, from the delicate and ethereal to the grand and majestic.

Summary by Dennis Johnson

Romantische Fantasien is a must-have for any lover of classical music, and a testament to Berlioz's enduring legacy as one of the most innovative and visionary composers of the Romantic era.