Search - Hector Berlioz, Riccardo Muti, Philadelphia Orchestra :: Symphonie Fantastique

Undoubtedly the best "Fantastique"

Joseph Hubbard | Pflugerville, TX | 04/15/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Even after hearing this symphony constantly growing up, I never once found myself notably drawn in by the music. While I liked to listen to it and was impressed by its historical significance, it never struck my fancy as anything other than background music. Sure, the music itself is loaded with plenty of stuff to enjoy, but I never heard any interpretation of it that showcased it enough and really delivered some actual substance to the hype of this Romantic masterpiece.



However, this recording slams it in your face.



This is by far the most intense reading of the work to date. Dynamics are finally maximized here and Muti layers the voices of the orchestra with perfection. The brass playing is incredible throughout and when they really bring the heat in the March and the Witches' Sabbath, you will literally be set aflame. I can't imagine a better recording of these last two movements as they bring complete death and destruction here. And as one reviewer has already pointed out, Charlie Vernon delivers a performance here that you will not hear on any other recording of this work. He comes bearing many bass trombone gifts and all we can do is calmy sit back and bask in his generosity. Listening to him destroy the pedals in the March will never get old. Thank you Charlie Vernon, thank you.



As far as comparing them to other recordings goes, I much favor this to the famous Ormandy recording on Sony Classics that I just frankly find bland and rather uninspiring. I also don't understand why they split up the last movement into four tracks on that CD. Trivial yes, but it is just very annoying to me. I also prefer this Muti recording to the Davis/Concertgebouw, which is taken with a much lighter approach. However, some people like that approach better and there is nothing wrong with preferring it that way, so if you are looking for a more pastoral sound for this music, I would definitely look into the Davis recording, now a part of the Philips 50. But let's be real here kids. If you want a recording that will melt steel, look no further than this disc.



Buy immediately. Perhaps you did not hear me, but I said immediately.



(Also, it is ridiculously inexpensive.)"

A Berlioz Opus 14 CD to KEEP !

John L. Miller | Sterling, Virginia United States | 10/29/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Years ago (probably in the 80's when this recording was made ), Muti and the Philadelphia Orchestra performed this work on TV. I viewed the telecast and thought it was a great performance (even on a small, non-stereo TV ). .... Since then, I have owned a few recordings of this symphony performed by other conductors and orchestras. I always ended up selling them after only playing them one time. ... When I saw that this version was available on cd and realized that it was that performance that impressed me so greatly years ago, I had high hopes that it would be a "keeper". .. And it is !! .. I have played it many times and it is one of the "definitive" recordings in my cd collection. ... I don't understand why it is not being sold at full price. Buy it now .. before they realize their error !

"