Sylvain Cambreling's excellent survey of
Hector Berlioz's works for Haenssler Classic continues with this 2009 release of the "symphony with viola obbligato," Harold en Italie, Op. 16. Essentially a viola concerto cast in the structure of a programmatic symphony, this work was
Berlioz's follow-up to his extravagant Symphonie fantastique and shares with it some of the same flashes of orchestral brilliance, formal novelty, and autobiographical eccentricity. Of prominence in this performance is violist
Jean-Eric Soucy, who brings great warmth and presence to his role as the soloist-protagonist. Because this is not an especially showy part but rather more lyrical in expression,
Soucy sustains interest through his highly personal tone, and his focused delivery communicates the Romantic character of Lord Byron's "Childe Harold." Harold en Italie is presented with three popular orchestral selections from La Damnation de Faust -- the Marche Hongroise or "Rákóczy March," the Ballet des Sylphes, and the Menuet des follets -- and the Chasse royal et orage (Royal Hunt and Storm) from the opera Les Troyens, so this album is a marvelous display of
Berlioz's music at its most inventive and colorful, and
Cambreling and the
SWR Symphony Orchestra of Baden-Baden and Freiburg perform with abundant enthusiasm, clean execution, and vivid timbres. Haenssler's sound quality is superb, and the viola is centrally placed in Harold, giving it a special treatment that is sometimes lacking in other recordings.