Search - Hector Berlioz, Roger Norrington, SWR Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra :: Hector Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique; Les francs-juges, Ouverture

Norrington's rework is a big success!

Daniel W. Fowler | Austin TX | 05/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Over a decade ago Roger Norrington and the London Classical Players released a version of the Symphonie Fantastique using "original" (HIP) instruments. I chose to obtain this version, which uses modern instruments "but with all the attention to historical detail" (to quote the liner notes) because of the mixed reviews I had seen for Norrington's original version. I obviously can't speak to the merits of the original release, but I do give this version an enthusiastic endorsement. While this is a live recording, the sound is exquisite, revealing intricate details of phrasing and instrumentation. The interpretation is somewhat slower than the one by Munch (1954), but the pacing builds to a tremendous conclusion. I have heard many versions of the Symphonie Fantastique, and the best ones make you stop and appreciate the genius of the music anew. This one falls into that category. The accompanying piece "Les Francs-Juges" also sounds great to me, but I must confess that I am not too familiar with this work."

Drama and Musicianship melded together

J.P.E.W. | Ohio | 10/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This fairly recent recording by Norrington is a unique take on the symphonie. Norrington takes some liberty with the tempo to enhanced dramatic effect and for Berlioz it is a difficult balance between playing the work as music and emphasizing the psychodramatic effects that are suggested by program notes and instructions left by the composer.



Often times the musical elements are compromised for a sound effects approach that tears the massive and profound symphony into broken fragments. But, on the other hand, to play it purely as music without considering the underlying drama and psychology that props up the work can be beautiful (such as the Cleveland Orchestra Grammy Award recording conducted by Boulez) and rich in musicianship but I don't think it adequately captures the mood. Compromising clean musicianship for dramatic impact is a factor that Berlioz himself suffered criticisms for and defined his musical contribution to the world of classical music. The competing instructional influences are what makes the Symphonie fantastique so difficult to master and so frequently performed / recorded.



I wouldn't declare this the best ever recording, but it is up there with the best. Norrington manages to capture the mood in almost every passage while still making the Symphonie exist as a larger continuous musical flow.



The overture is a great companion to the symphonie and is played with striking intensity. I've never heard it played stronger.



Amazing that the recording is live with audience reactions and yet the recording seems untainted by noise and polished as if worked over in many studio sessions.



It's worth looking into for the Berlioz enthusiast and is also a great introduction to the work."

Close to Great

P. Beltz | 01/22/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Roger NNorrington and his SWR players offer up a pleasing performance but

a couple of things keep me from giving the final star.

I heard things in this performance that were not in others that made it

be more open. The timpani in the Scene aux chammps was more pronounced which I enjoyed. The sticking point for me was The March to the scaffold.

To me it was a leisurely stroll;way to slow. And I just cannot get used to the repeat at the start. It just does not seem right to me. The finale is great. Great recorded sound.

It was nice to have the added overture as a filler to make generous disc."