Thread: Berlioz Requiem

Verdi's requiem is theatrical (far more so than Berlioz's, I would argue) but because it is so well written, it manages to escape without criticism. Berlioz's requiem is untidy and harmonically lazy - sounds like it was written by a child desperate for attention.

Originally Posted by JoeGreen

Well Bach's kitsch is my ecstasy, if there is anything I love more than Brass instruments, it's brass instruments and stereophonic effects! (or in this case quadraphonic)

But I would seriously love to here this live. Even if it's just for the Tuba Mirum portion.

I'm not sure where you're located, but the Philadelphia Orchestra (Dutoit conducting) will be playing it in...May...June...somewhere around there if memory serves. I'm trying to work out an attendance myself, I'm sure it will be an event to remember.

I was at a performance of this many years ago but I have to admit that despite all those timps and being right next to the orchestra I fell asleep. I usually find Berlioz music dull and over theatrical but it doesn't usually send me to sleep.

I would go with the Sir Colin Davis/LSO recording, but another that is great, if you can find it, is one that Charles Munch did with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. Stay away from the impotent Ozawa/Boston Recording. Engineers got waaaaaayyyyyy too involved with that one. You can almost hear the pot being brought down on the brass during the big climaxes. Absolutely shameful.

Originally Posted by Bach

Berlioz's requiem is untidy and harmonically lazy -.

Examples please!

Originally Posted by the_unexpected

I'm not sure where you're located, but the Philadelphia Orchestra (Dutoit conducting) will be playing it in...May...June...somewhere around there if memory serves. I'm trying to work out an attendance myself, I'm sure it will be an event to remember.

I did not know, even though I wasn't planning on being in that area, I might just change my schedule.

Originally Posted by toughcritic

I did not know, even though I wasn't planning on being in that area, I might just change my schedule.

How about showing a little gratitude to the people here, including myself, who have helped you with your questions?

Originally Posted by JTech82

How about showing a little gratitude to the people here, including myself, who have helped you with your questions?

That was going to be my next post. I just wanted to read all the replies more thoroughly. Unexpected's post simply jumped at me and didn't require further reading.

Originally Posted by toughcritic

That was going to be my next post. I just wanted to read all the replies more thoroughly. Unexpected's post simply jumped at me and didn't require further reading.

If you say so.

Originally Posted by the_unexpected

I'm not sure where you're located, but the Philadelphia Orchestra (Dutoit conducting) will be playing it in...May...June...somewhere around there if memory serves. I'm trying to work out an attendance myself, I'm sure it will be an event to remember.

Heh, I'm nowhere close to there but if I were I'd definitley try to go.