Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust

Available for over a year

Nicholas Baragwanath for Building a Library makes a personal choice from the available recordings of Berlioz's The Damnation of Faust. Faust is a work for solo voices, chorus and orchestra, inspired by a translation of Goethe's dramatic poem Faust and like the Goethe it is a piece that defies easy categorization. It's part-oratorio and part-opera. Berlioz ultimately called it a dramatic legend. And it is full of Berlioz's characteristically eccentric style and colourful orchestration. It is a thrilling work. Recommended Recording: Bryn Terfel (bass-baritone); Keith Lewis (tenor); David Nicklass (treble), Anne Sofie von Otter (mezzo-soprano); Victor von Halem (bass), Bryn Terfel (bass) Philharmonia Chorus and Orchestra; Eton College Boys Choir; David Hill, Simon Halsey, Ralph Allwood (directors) Myung-Whun Chung (conductor) DG 4535002 (Digital download) Other Recommended Recordings: Below are other recordings that Nicholas also liked, although we can’t guarantee availability. London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus; Ambrosian Singers; Wandsworth School Boys’ Choir; Sir Colin Davis (conductor); Nicolai Gedda (tenor); Jules Bastin (bass); Josephine Veasey (mezzo-soprano); Richard van Allan (bass); Gillian Knight (mezzo-soprano) Philips 4163952 (Digital download) Arthur Oldham; Plácido Domingo (tenor); Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone); Jules Bastin (bass) Orchestre de Paris; Choeur de l'Orchestre de Paris; Daniel Barenboim (conductor); DG 4744402 (Digital download) Richard Verreau (tenor); Consuelo Rubio (soprano); Michel Roux (bass); Pierre Mollet (baritone) Orchestre des Concerts Lamoureux; Choeur Enfants RTF; Choeurs Elisabeth Brasseur; Igor Markevitch (conductor); DG 4636732 (Digital download)