Berlioz: Harold in Italy & Other Orchestral Works

Berlioz wrote his second symphony, Harold en Italie (Harold in Italy), in 1834 after a spell in Rome as part of a composing scholarship. It’s a very different work from the semi-autobiographical, opium-inspired Symphonie fantastique written four years earlier. Harold is a viola concerto in all but name, inspired by Byron and commissioned by Paganini who then rejected it on account of the soloist’s part not being flashy enough for him. There is, however, real soul and thematic richness to Berlioz’s piece that requires the soloist to be something of a team player. Lawrence Power is the perfect choice, with a tone most violists could only dream of alongside a light touch that shines a light on the charm and humour of our hero. Andrew Manze inspires virtuosic, alert playing from the Bergen Philharmonic. Some fascinating companion pieces follow, including La captive, arranged by Manze for viola (replacing Berlioz’s vocal soloist), and several of Berlioz’s own arrangements of other composer’s works, notably an exuberant version of Weber’s Aufforderung zum Tanz (Invitation to the Dance).