Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
Sandwiched between the two massive symphonic works Symphonie Fantastique and Romeo & Juliet comes Berlioz's concertante-like composition Harold in Italy for solo viola and orchestra. The work was famously commissioned by violin virtuoso Niccolò Paganini and then initially rejected because of its lack of bravura for the solo viola. The work definitely has some difficulties to overcome. Given Berlioz's penchant for gigantic orchestral parts and the viola's limited projection abilities, balance is clearly a constant issue. Fortunately, Colin Davis (deemed by some to be the foremost Berlioz conductor) and the Philharmonia Orchestra not only allow the viola to cut through quite clearly, but also provide an exciting and powerful counterpart during orchestral tuttis. Much like Paganini, Yehudi Menuhin is more recognized as a violinist than a violist. While his technique is flawless and his interpretation quite musically satisfying, his tone is sometimes nasal and nowhere near as enjoyable as his violin playing in the Op. 8 Reverie et Caprice. For an equally exhilarating orchestral performance of Harold with a warmer viola sound, listeners may wish to hear Davis conducting the London Symphony Orchestra with violist Tabea Zimmermann.
© TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From £10.83/month
Philharmonia Orchestra, Orchestra - Yehudi Menuhin, Viola, MainArtist - Victor Olof, Producer - Hector Berlioz, Composer - Sir Colin Davis, Conductor
© 1990 EMI Records Ltd. A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1963, 1990 Parlophone Records Limited
Philharmonia Orchestra, Orchestra - Yehudi Menuhin, Viola, MainArtist - Victor Olof, Producer - Hector Berlioz, Composer - Sir Colin Davis, Conductor
© 1990 EMI Records Ltd. A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1963, 1990 Parlophone Records Limited
Philharmonia Orchestra, Orchestra - Yehudi Menuhin, Viola, MainArtist - Victor Olof, Producer - Hector Berlioz, Composer - Sir Colin Davis, Conductor
© 1990 EMI Records Ltd. A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1963, 1990 Parlophone Records Limited
Philharmonia Orchestra, Orchestra - Yehudi Menuhin, Viola, MainArtist - Victor Olof, Producer - Hector Berlioz, Composer - Sir Colin Davis, Conductor
© 1990 EMI Records Ltd. A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1963, 1990 Parlophone Records Limited
Philharmonia Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Peter Andry, Producer - Yehudi Menuhin, Violin, MainArtist - Hector Berlioz, Composer - Sir John Pritchard, Conductor, MainArtist
© 1990 EMI Records Ltd. A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1964, 1990 Parlophone Records Limited
Philharmonia Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Peter Andry, Producer - Yehudi Menuhin, Violin, MainArtist - Hector Berlioz, Composer - Sir John Pritchard, Conductor, MainArtist
© 1990 EMI Records Ltd. A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1964, 1990 Parlophone Records Limited
Album review
Sandwiched between the two massive symphonic works Symphonie Fantastique and Romeo & Juliet comes Berlioz's concertante-like composition Harold in Italy for solo viola and orchestra. The work was famously commissioned by violin virtuoso Niccolò Paganini and then initially rejected because of its lack of bravura for the solo viola. The work definitely has some difficulties to overcome. Given Berlioz's penchant for gigantic orchestral parts and the viola's limited projection abilities, balance is clearly a constant issue. Fortunately, Colin Davis (deemed by some to be the foremost Berlioz conductor) and the Philharmonia Orchestra not only allow the viola to cut through quite clearly, but also provide an exciting and powerful counterpart during orchestral tuttis. Much like Paganini, Yehudi Menuhin is more recognized as a violinist than a violist. While his technique is flawless and his interpretation quite musically satisfying, his tone is sometimes nasal and nowhere near as enjoyable as his violin playing in the Op. 8 Reverie et Caprice. For an equally exhilarating orchestral performance of Harold with a warmer viola sound, listeners may wish to hear Davis conducting the London Symphony Orchestra with violist Tabea Zimmermann.
© TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 6 track(s)
- Total length: 00:53:15
- Main artists: Yehudi Menuhin
- Composer: Hector Berlioz
- Label: Warner Classics
- Genre: Classical
© 1990 EMI Records Ltd. ℗ 1990 This compilation (P) 1990 EMI Records Ltd.
Improve album information
Why buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.