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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)

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