What are your favorite vinyl performances and recordings of Hector Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique? Please click on the comments link below to tell us your top choices.
C'mon - why not just list the BAD versions. HiFiNews/RR, near 45 years back, had a John Crabbe analysis - particularly re: the Bell/Chimes type used last mvt.. The 1954 Munch mono had a very different Tympani balance in the penultimate mvt when receiving its 1st stereo release on Gold Seal; sounding more like a Concerto for Tympani. Klemperers 'didactic' version turned up on EMI Eminence...my 3rd after Bernstein/NYPO (68) Ozawa/Boston (vast acoustic, a la Tom Mowrey:- http://quadraphonic.info/Thomas_Mowrey/ ).
I started playing my copy of Sir Thomas Beecham's stereo recording with the French National Radio Orchestra (EMI ASD 399) this morning but haven't gotten through its entirety yet. An enjoyable performance so far, though its sonics didn't overwhelm me.
Though I sold my own copy a while ago (and would like to reclaim it), I do remember liking the Paul Paray with the Detoit Symphony on Mercury Living Presence.
Are you suggesting the Klemperer is bad? IMHO it is one of the greats AND includes the cornet part. Not a work one would imagine Klemperer would do well, nut I think his architectural approach actually makes for considerable excitement.
And Scherchen.
Those are probably my top two..
I also very much like the Horenstein, wouldn't want to be without Boulez, Monteux (1930), Kubelik, Meyrowitz (1934) and several by Barbirolli.
Are you suggesting the Klemperer is bad? IMHO it is one of the greats AND includes the cornet part. Not a work one would imagine Klemperer would do well, nut I think his architectural approach actually makes for considerable excitement.
And Scherchen.
Those are probably my top two..
I also very much like the Horenstein, wouldn't want to be without Boulez, Monteux (1930), Kubelik, Meyrowitz (1934) and several by Barbirolli.
DGRB, I might just have to agree with you on the Klemperer. I have the SAX semi-circle first pressing and though it's been over a year since I last listened to it, I remember thinking that it was far better than I had expected.
On Amazon quite a few love the unusual Klemperer performance and then some don't like it all. SLS 5003 Klemperer box probably better sound then the original SAX semi.
Dave Hurwitz from Classics Today also put in a good word for Klemperer when he reviewed the box set of Klemperer's romantic symphony recordings on EMI/Warner.
On Beecham, believe I've got the Concert Classic (SXLP 30295), so that is on listening list. TAS in issue 77 gave this or the original a positive review (sadly I've appeared to archive my back issue in an unknown location.)
Nowhere did I connect the First Sentence to the latter; 3 versions I'd actually bought - latterly have nearly 20. Lack of Comprehension isn't my problem...
The 180 gram Chesky with Massimo Freccia conducting formerly on Reader's Digest. Only have the 150 gram, but here the 180 is the one to get. Sound and performance. DMM cut, but works well. I've got the Classic Records stereo of the Munch and did not like it as much.
For sound, Kojian/Utah on Reference 2LP is a monster. My 4S/1S promo shaded dog of Monteux/Vienna LSC-2362 is also startlingly good. Need to re-listen to my 5S/3S Freccia/RPO on RCA/Reader's Digest tomorrow--I don't have the Chesky.
The US Reader's digest just doesn't have the oomph or clarity of the DMM Chesky (UK Reader's Box pressed by Decca would be interesting.)
The early Keith Johnson Reference Recording is a monster and still delivers some punch on state of the art vinyl systems. The Chesky is not as monstrous, but I prefer the Freccia performance. (All the new Reference Recordings vinyl pressings are done by Chad Kassem's Acoustic Sounds "Quality Record Pressings"in Salina Kansas with astounding quality.)
The Monteux is one of the few shaded dogs I've not heard (Aqlam too?)
@Meles: Yes, I think you are right about the original RCA/Reader's Digest pressing of the Freccia/RPO. It is nice--definitely way above average sound--but not top tier. Would like to hear either Chesky you mention.
The Monteux shaded dog is actually quite nice ... listening to it now. It's a Decca-recorded RCA, recorded in Vienna. Acoustics of the hall aren't the greatest and strings sound rather dry. However, the bell in the final movement has quite a nice effect.
I like Klemperer's symphonic interpretation, but my first choice, Willem van Otterloo directing the Berlin Philharmonic on Philips is the complete opposite. Packed full with colour and shimmering strings, that this is a 1951 recording defies belief. Or did they do it better back then?
The one I tend to play most is HMV ASD 2945 with Jean Martinon conducting the ORTF. I have about half a dozen different recordings of this work and in searching for them came across the WRC re-issue of Goossens Everest recording with the LSO (ST93). I've never played it so may give this a listen in the coming week.
I'd like to hear Concert Classic SXLP 20036 with Silvestri. I've got the icon box and will have to give that a listen and report back on the CD. I've got HD digital of Davis with RCO (Philips). I'll check it out too.
The well regarded Davis RCO is just not Fantastique to me. The HD digital sound is reasonable, but the performance is very romantic and sedate, perhaps beautiful. My CD with Silvestri is fine and I like the performance (much more savage than Davis), so perhaps SXLP might deliver.
Any by Charles Munch. Most others are somewhat pale in comparison.
ReplyDeleteC'mon - why not just list the BAD versions.
ReplyDeleteHiFiNews/RR, near 45 years back, had a John Crabbe analysis - particularly re: the Bell/Chimes type used last mvt..
The 1954 Munch mono had a very different Tympani balance in the penultimate mvt when receiving its 1st stereo release on Gold Seal; sounding more like a Concerto for Tympani.
Klemperers 'didactic' version turned up on EMI Eminence...my 3rd after Bernstein/NYPO (68) Ozawa/Boston (vast acoustic, a la Tom Mowrey:- http://quadraphonic.info/Thomas_Mowrey/ ).
Welcome back, Tin Ear!
DeleteI started playing my copy of Sir Thomas Beecham's stereo recording with the French National Radio Orchestra (EMI ASD 399) this morning but haven't gotten through its entirety yet. An enjoyable performance so far, though its sonics didn't overwhelm me.
Though I sold my own copy a while ago (and would like to reclaim it), I do remember liking the Paul Paray with the Detoit Symphony on Mercury Living Presence.
Are you suggesting the Klemperer is bad? IMHO it is one of the greats AND includes the cornet part. Not a work one would imagine Klemperer would do well, nut I think his architectural approach actually makes for considerable excitement.
DeleteAnd Scherchen.
Those are probably my top two..
I also very much like the Horenstein, wouldn't want to be without Boulez, Monteux (1930), Kubelik, Meyrowitz (1934) and several by Barbirolli.
Are you suggesting the Klemperer is bad? IMHO it is one of the greats AND includes the cornet part. Not a work one would imagine Klemperer would do well, nut I think his architectural approach actually makes for considerable excitement.
DeleteAnd Scherchen.
Those are probably my top two..
I also very much like the Horenstein, wouldn't want to be without Boulez, Monteux (1930), Kubelik, Meyrowitz (1934) and several by Barbirolli.
Hmmmm...Didactic: "designed or intended to teach" - my impression upon hearing it on BBC Radio 3 new releases in 1982/3 - then purchased...
DeleteDGRB, I might just have to agree with you on the Klemperer. I have the SAX semi-circle first pressing and though it's been over a year since I last listened to it, I remember thinking that it was far better than I had expected.
DeleteOn Amazon quite a few love the unusual Klemperer performance and then some don't like it all. SLS 5003 Klemperer box probably better sound then the original SAX semi.
DeleteDave Hurwitz from Classics Today also put in a good word for Klemperer when he reviewed the box set of Klemperer's romantic symphony recordings on EMI/Warner.
DeleteSo Tin Ear is trolling the site with the three worst? Say it isn't so.
DeleteOn Beecham, believe I've got the Concert Classic (SXLP 30295), so that is on listening list. TAS in issue 77 gave this or the original a positive review (sadly I've appeared to archive my back issue in an unknown location.)
DeleteNowhere did I connect the First Sentence to the latter; 3 versions I'd actually bought - latterly have nearly 20.
DeleteLack of Comprehension isn't my problem...
It is for me. So you like the 1954 Munch? I'll give my Classic reissue another listen. Have you heard the Decca pressed Reader's Digest with Freccia?
DeleteThe 180 gram Chesky with Massimo Freccia conducting formerly on Reader's Digest. Only have the 150 gram, but here the 180 is the one to get. Sound and performance. DMM cut, but works well. I've got the Classic Records stereo of the Munch and did not like it as much.
ReplyDeleteFor sound, Kojian/Utah on Reference 2LP is a monster. My 4S/1S promo shaded dog of Monteux/Vienna LSC-2362 is also startlingly good. Need to re-listen to my 5S/3S Freccia/RPO on RCA/Reader's Digest tomorrow--I don't have the Chesky.
ReplyDeleteThe US Reader's digest just doesn't have the oomph or clarity of the DMM Chesky (UK Reader's Box pressed by Decca would be interesting.)
DeleteThe early Keith Johnson Reference Recording is a monster and still delivers some punch on state of the art vinyl systems. The Chesky is not as monstrous, but I prefer the Freccia performance. (All the new Reference Recordings vinyl pressings are done by Chad Kassem's Acoustic Sounds "Quality Record Pressings"in Salina Kansas with astounding quality.)
The Monteux is one of the few shaded dogs I've not heard (Aqlam too?)
I've got the Monteux shaded dog ... need to put it on the turntable for another listen!
Delete@Meles: Yes, I think you are right about the original RCA/Reader's Digest pressing of the Freccia/RPO. It is nice--definitely way above average sound--but not top tier. Would like to hear either Chesky you mention.
DeleteI've wanted the 180 gram for some time. Salvatore discusses (see our links bottom left) them on Supreme Recordings. It is rare in the HQ-180 pressing.
DeleteThe Monteux shaded dog is actually quite nice ... listening to it now. It's a Decca-recorded RCA, recorded in Vienna. Acoustics of the hall aren't the greatest and strings sound rather dry. However, the bell in the final movement has quite a nice effect.
DeleteI like Klemperer's symphonic interpretation, but my first choice, Willem van Otterloo directing the Berlin Philharmonic on Philips is the complete opposite. Packed full with colour and shimmering strings, that this is a 1951 recording defies belief. Or did they do it better back then?
ReplyDeleteThe one I tend to play most is HMV ASD 2945 with Jean Martinon conducting the ORTF.
ReplyDeleteI have about half a dozen different recordings of this work and in searching for them came across the WRC re-issue of Goossens Everest recording with the LSO (ST93). I've never played it so may give this a listen in the coming week.
The Martinon is supposed to be good. I'll have to try to snag the ASD some time.
DeleteI'd like to hear Concert Classic SXLP 20036 with Silvestri. I've got the icon box and will have to give that a listen and report back on the CD. I've got HD digital of Davis with RCO (Philips). I'll check it out too.
ReplyDeleteThe well regarded Davis RCO is just not Fantastique to me. The HD digital sound is reasonable, but the performance is very romantic and sedate, perhaps beautiful. My CD with Silvestri is fine and I like the performance (much more savage than Davis), so perhaps SXLP might deliver.
DeleteMy favorit one is by Carlos Païta. Quite romantic vision . French decca recorded in England but by Fonor, not decca.
ReplyDelete