Search - Hector Berlioz, Charles Münch, Boston Symphony Orchestra :: Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique [Hybrid SACD]

A Living Stereo Classic

A. Craig | Grand Junction,CO | 05/11/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Well RCA has fufilled a couple of my wishes. This recording of

the Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique from Munch and the BSO from

1954 is a classic! Charles Munch and the Boston Symphony recorded many of Berlioz's best works for RCA Red Seal, this and the Requiem are some of their best efforts. Munch's 1954

recording is really a romp, at just over 46 minutes you get a really fast performance, but you never get the feeling of being rushed. As icing on the cake, RCA includes the Love Scene from

Romeo et Juliette Op. 17 as a filler, and what a filler! Some of Berlioz's best music. Now perhaps the RCA people will fufill my next wish and issue Erich Leinsdorf's Living Stereo recording

of Mozart's " Don Giovanni" on SACD. Along with Maestro Leinsdorf's recording with the BSO on Richard Strauss's " Ein Heldenleben" . As for this SACD If you don't already have a recording of the Symphonie Fantastique this is a good one to add to your collection!"

It doesn't get any better than this!

P. Beltz | 02/24/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Charles Munch's performance of this old warhorse to me cannot

be outdone. I have read many glowing reviews of Davis/Concertgebouw,but have never heard it. Maybe someday I

will break down and buy it,but Munch just seems to have the

right idea. I like the sound of the bells in the 4th movement.

Someone told me years back that they were crafted for Munch

per his specifications. With the DSD remastering and SACD the

excitement is even better. Shame on RCA for taking so long to

reissue this treasure."

The febrile incandescence!

Hiram Gomez Pardo | Valencia, Venezuela | 09/25/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The close relationship between Charles Munch and Hector Berlioz, was much more a happy coincidence. The narrow affinity aroused due the sumptuous and elegant baton of this Alsatian conductor, who always knew to depict a gallant and incandescent Berlioz, conferring an aura that transcended the arcane vision of the inflamed Romantic composer, bewitched by his flaming love. This Fantastic remains among the most expressive and refulgent ever recorded. Besides the fact we are talking the Boston Symphony is additionally another important factor to take into account. The European taste emanated by this one thousand carats ensemble and those expressive and radiant strings section was obviously a determining factor that even accented with major blaze the enraptured state of mind of his febrile composer.



Don' t miss this superb version.





"