How did recordings after 1945 help audiences become more familiar with Hector Berlioz’s major works?

Prior to 1945, the repertoire of Hector Berlioz was largely restricted to the Symphonie fantastique and a few brief excerpts, as his major works were rarely performed and often lacked sufficient preparation.1

The introduction of long-playing records fundamentally transformed this situation. These recordings allowed audiences to engage with Berlioz’s music through repeated listening, enabling them to evaluate interpretations with the same level of critical attention and knowledge typically reserved for other composers. This shift facilitated a more comprehensive appreciation of his work, helping to establish his reputation as a dramatic musician of the first rank. Conductors such as Sir Colin Davis furthered this legacy by recording the composer's complete orchestral and operatic works, ensuring that these complex pieces became more accessible to the public.12