Berlioz

[Ace]

Interesting Berlioz excerpt.

https://youtu.be/lZzr4xXPeyw" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

Ace

[timayer]

Thank you for finding and posting this.

It's a completely different view on the piece than we get with modern instruments. And it is great to hear it played by people who are proficient at the historical instruments! There is always a debate on which is "right" or "better." I'm happy resolving it as every choice of instrument is "interesting."

[MackBrass]

Nice find as that was bad a$$. I would never have thought that the low brass would have sounded as clear but since they used all period instruments it balanced out.

[Kirley]

Thank you for sharing!
Such a great and totally different sound than what we're used to.
And, wow. Those guys can play.

[barry grrr-ero]

It's not loud - they weren't playing in large halls at that time (I don't think). However, hearing it this way gets a better balance between the upper and lower octaves (bassoons are in the lower octave, as I'm sure everyone here would know). It's kind of gnarly sound too. I like it.

[UDELBR]

But we were told that Berlioz would really have preferred this played down two octaves on a 7/4 Blast-o-phone.

[bort]

Awesome!

Anywhere to hear the other 4 movements?

[windshieldbug]

I was fortunate enough to play Fantastique on ophicleides with Jay Krush (of Chestnut Brass) some 20 years ago. Not only does it give an entirely different character to the witches’ sabbath, but it is actually much easier to play. Bravo for the performance!

[williamp]

Bravo! Great start to my day.

[jperry1466]

That is wonderful. Many of those old instruments were much more difficult to master than today's descendants. As one who attended a university whose main focus seemed to be musicology, I heard a lot of faculty and students play such instruments with some pretty bad sounds, so I assumed those horns just couldn't be played as well as the modern versions. I'm glad to be wrong and to hear such great musicians.

[roughrider]

Absolutely tremendous! Thank you very much for posting this!

[iiipopes]

The OP's link to the recording demonstrates why orchestra music can be fulfilling and interesting and fun, instead of just, well, a big wall of sound. I really loved the overall musicality of the ensemble. It is one of the few orchestral works recordings I have in the last few years listened to start to finish without being bored or suffering through cliches and mud in the ensemble. For those who want more of how ophicleides and serpents can sound, check out the recordings and youtube videos of Doug Yeo, including both his individual and ensemble videos.

[hup_d_dup]

We are now rehearsing this piece in the Central Jersey Symphony, so I have been listening to quite a few recordings and videos. This is one of the best and most interesting. A real pleasure to hear.

That said, I think modern instruments can provide a wider range of expression (and if not expression, certainly a wider range of dynamics). The nature of the piece indicates to me that Berlioz wanted to get every possible sonic effect that could be had; he probably would have loved to hear this piece on modern instruments.

Hup

[Billy M.]

I have to admit I think the colors are a bit more interesting with this performance than many modern recordings.

[Alex C]

I noticed that he is playing the Serpent in the "bell up" position.

Neither instrument is very efficient, I hear more bassoon sound than ever. This is probably close to what Berlioz heard.