The work features a wordless love scene at its heart, which is structurally and emotionally central to the balance between the symphonic and narrative elements.
Composition History
The composition of Roméo et Juliette was made possible by a generous gift of 20,000 francs from Nicolo Paganini, which relieved Berlioz of significant debt.
Compositional Technique
Berlioz's Roméo et Juliette is titled a 'dramatic symphony, with chorus, vocal solos, and prologue in chanted recitative,' and he explicitly stated it is neither an opera nor a cantata.
Performer Biography
Valery Gergiev, the conductor on this album, is the Principal Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra and has held artistic director positions at several international festivals.
Recording & Production
This recording of Berlioz's Roméo et Juliette was made live in DSD at the Barbican, London, on November 6 & 13, 2013.
Composition History
Berlioz's Roméo et Juliette, a dramatic symphony, was conceived after he saw a performance of Shakespeare's play in 1827 and was deeply influenced by Beethoven's symphonies.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Berlioz believed in the continual reinvention of musical form to meet the demands of poetic material, a lesson he drew from both Shakespeare and Beethoven.
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