Sir Colin Davis is recognised worldwide as the conductor who has done more than any other to bring Berlioz to public consciousness. This large scale symphonie dramatique – inspired by Shakespeare’s play - is brought to life by the incomparably rich playing of the Wiener Philharmoniker (Booklet note) “Davis uses the warmth and softness of the Vienna Philharmonic to make the most of this aspect of the music, where the acuter definitions of a French or an English orchestra might suggest a different approach. It is extremely intelligent conducting. As before, Davis has the instinct for Berlioz’s long, irregular melodic lines, for the unpredictable harmonic tinge that confers poignancy or tension, for the rhythmic swerves, for the abrupt dramatic contrasts that can move the music in a startling direction.” (Gramophone, October 1996)