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Berlioz: Grande Messe des morts – LSO Live

Berlioz: Grande Messe des morts

  • Catalogue Number LSO0729
    UPC 822231172925

    James Mallinson producer
    Neil Hutchinson for Classic Sound Ltd balance engineer

    Recorded live at St Paul's Cathedral, June 2012

    DSD (Direct Stream Digital) recording
    Notes in English / en français / auf Deutsch

  • ICMA Winner 2014: Choral Works

    Grammy Nomination 2014: Best Choral Performance

    ResMusica’s La Clef du Mois

    Gramophone Magazine’s Vocal Choice

    MusicWeb International’s Recording of the Month
    'This, [Davis’] last-ever Berlioz recording, demonstrates yet again his unique empathy with and understanding of Berlioz’s music as well as his authority in conducting it.'

    ***** 'Malcolm Hayes is struck by conductor Colin Davis' masterful understanding of the music, and the near-perfection of sound, in the London Symphony Orchestra's remarkable new recording of Berlioz's epic Requiem.'
    Sinfini Music

    ***** ‘Davis distils a lifetime’s practical expertise with Berlioz into a performance that is noble, thrilling, intimate and richly satisfying. His orchestra plays for him as if possessed and the massed choirs are exceptional in what they deliver. Tenor Barry Banks provides just the right combination of sweetness and power in the Sanctus, his one solo.’
    Choir & Organ

    ‘In this live recording of Berlioz’s Requiem, made at last year’s City of London Festival, the enigmatic rising phrases that launch the work continue to reverberate hauntingly in the surrounding silences, and the tone of the combined LSO and LPO choirs — singing beautifully and bringing out the music’s profound sadness — is wonderfully enhanced. Colin Davis fits the work to the conditions with a master hand. Memorable.’
    The Sunday Times

    ‘The two concerts in Saint Paul’s Cathedral in June 2012 upon which this recording is based were colossal events. I attended the first of them and have rarely been so moved by the magnificence of stately music superbly rendered. LSO Live has captured the moment with remarkable fidelity.’
    Classical Source

    ‘This is an essential purchase – a first-rate reading of a religious work that combines both entertainment value and spiritual uplift.’
    The Arts Desk

    'The combined London Symphony Chorus and London Philharmonic Choir sing magnificently throughout, and the LSO play with the dedication and commitment reserved for their veteran President.'
    Classical CD Choice

    ‘This may be the most purely beautiful Berlioz Requiem on CD.’
    American Record Guide

£12.99

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Sir Colin Davis, London Symphony Orchestra


Sir Colin Davis was revered Berlioz expert and his LSO Live Berlioz recordings were one of the most widely acclaimed series’ of classical recordings of recent years and collected numerous awards, including two Grammy Awards for Les Troyens. The release of the monumental Grande Messe des morts marks the completion of this cycle and further confirms Sir Colin’s status as one of the greatest conductors of Berlioz’s music. 

Recorded in St Paul’s Cathedral, a fitting acoustic for the work, the London Symphony Orchestra are joined by English lyric tenor Barry Banks and two of London’s finest choirs, the London Symphony Chorus and London Philharmonic Choir.


Composer   Berlioz
Conductor   Sir Colin Davis
Performers   London Symphony Chorus, London Philharmonic Choir, London Symphony Orchestra
Soloist   Barry Banks

Track list
Disc 1
1. Grande Messe des morts: I. Requiem et Kyrie
2. Grande Messe des morts: II. Dies irae
3. Grande Messe des morts: III. Quid sum miser
4. Grande Messe des morts: IV. Rex tremendae
5. Grande Messe des morts: V. Quaerens me
6. Grande Messe des morts: VI. Lacrymosa
Disc 2
7. Grande Messe des morts: VII. Offertoire (Domine Jesu Christe)
8. Grande Messe des morts: VIII. Hostias
9. Grande Messe des morts: IX. Sanctus
10. Grande Messe des morts: X. Agnus Dei

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