Search - Berlioz, Temirkanov, Rpo :: Symphonie Fantastique

A sleeper Fantastique, well worth hearing

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 09/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Berlioz's most familiar work is almost impossible to conduct with a fresh approach or to hear with fresh ears. I am grateful to this masterful Russian conductor, who has total control over the orchestra, for renewing my love of the Symphonie fantastique. Except for portions of the waltz in Un Bal that Temirkanov plays too straight, almost every bar is infused with unusual phrasing, balance, and pace. The last two movements are rambunctious and visceral. The pastoral third movement is very slow but so controlled and perfectly phrased that it held my attention throughout. It and the first movement are high points. If you want an unusal Ftantastique that owes nothing to French tradition, this one with a Russian accent is well worth hearing."

Wild and Woolly

David Saemann | 06/11/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you feel that eccentric and highly individual conducting died with Leopold Stokowski, you just have not heard Yuri Temirkanov. This excellently recorded disc is a testimonial to conductorial willfulness. In the symphony, there is no exposition repeat in the first movement and no cornet parts in the second. Instead, what you get is a highly characterized and dramatic rendition, with beautiful orchestral playing and much highlighting of detail. I had never heard the flute part in the coda to the last movement before. Every gesture, down to the least accompanying pizzicato figuration, has been given scrupulous consideration. The overtures are fun, too. Beatrice and Benedict ends with a massive ritard I've heard nowhere else, while the Corsair has achingly beautiful phrasing in the quieter portions of this hellraiser. Kudos to BMG for recording a conductor this interesting, and here's hoping for more of Temirkanov in the standard repertoire in the future."