Overture

Berlioz: Les Francs-juges/Ouverture. While still immersed in his studies, a few years before writing his 'Symphonie Fantastique' which made him famous, Berlioz was working on an opera which he was never able to completely finish: 'Les Francs-juges'. He had little success when he put this work before the examination board of the Paris Music Academy; the examiners rejected this gruesome story of medieval Germany out of hand. However, Berlioz wanted to save at least the overture from oblivion, and this piece was destined to become one of his most often played works.
Gramophone: outstanding.