Monday, March 26th, 2012
KHCD-2012-004 (1958 & 1976 STEREO) – Berlioz: Symphonie Funèbre et Triomphale, Op. 15 (H 80, 1st and 2nd versions)) – Recordings from 1958 & 1976 by Musique des Gardiens de la Paix de Paris/Chorale Populaire de Paris (in the 1958 recording)/Désiré Dondeyne, conductor (First time release together on CD) – Historic, idiomatic performances of Berlioz’s wind band symphony, in recordings considered definitive by many wind band enthusiasts. Recorded both times (1958 &1976) in the spacious acoustic of l’énglise Notre-Dame du Liban á Paris, the Musique des Gardiens de la Paix de Paris offer a unique timbre so well suited to the ceremonial and celebratory atmosphere this music demands. Both the 1st and second versions are offered on this disc; the MP3 sample offers a taste of the last movement with and without chorus. A must-have CD for any wind ensemble recording collector.
Click here for an MP3 sample of this one-of-a-kind CD of Berlioz’s Symphonie Funèbre et Triomphale, available on Klassic Haus Restorations.
Cheers – Curt Timmons