Berlioz: Huit Scenes de Faustby Anonymous

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September 10, 2005: This is a recording meant to rejoice in the French spirit. Charles Dutoit leads Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, the Montreal Symphony Chorus, and soloists through a spectrum of works by Hector Berlioz that range from the sublime to the mundane. The juicy programming ends in a 'make the audience stand' version of Claude-Joseph Rouget de Lisle's 'La Marseillaise' for full chorus and orchestra! Along the way there are 'Huit Scénes de Faust, for solo voices, chorus, orchestra & guitar' which benefit from the luxurious singing of Susan Graham, Suzanne Mentzer and some other fine vocalists. Dutoit coaxes a thoroughly French sound (!) from his forces and the result is ravishingly beautiful. Also included on this disc are lesser known works such as 'L' impériale, cantata for double chorus & orchestra', a mildly out of context excerpt from 'Les Nuits d'été' (Sur les lagunes) sung by a male (François Roux) which gives a different slant to the cycle, 'Le Chasseur danois, for baritone & piano (or orchestra)', and a lovely rendition of the ever-popular 'Plaisir d'amour' by Johann Paul Aegidius Martini effectively sung by François Roux. It is a mixed bag but the good moments far overshadow the lesser ones. If for nothing else the collectors of Susan Graham's recordings will most assuredly want to add this CD to their collection! Grady Harp