Over the Top, But Full of Character
F. Adcock | Silsbee, Texas United States | 06/19/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Contrary to popular belief, this recording is not the one Charles Munch made in the 1950's, but a re-recording made by the same forces in the early 1960's. This was my first "Fantastique", recommended by Martin Bookspan in his book "101 Masterpieces of Music and Their Composers". I was overcome by Berlioz's inspiration, and shocked by the 1830 premiere date. No wonder many musicologists believe this work was the beginning of modern orchestration.Although this performance is less tidy in ensemble when compared to Munch's earlier account, it has the kind of fire and excitment that leaves one drained by the finish. No other account of the final movement tops this one, with the orchestra clearly on the edge of their seats.True, this recording may not be for everyone, and preference may lean towards Previn, Muti, Beecham, Gardiner, or Davis. But this performance must be heard alongside the other great recordings."
Arguably one of the best Symphonie Fantastique Ever
Shota Hanai | Torrance, CA | 09/29/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I don't know much about Charles Munch, probably because he was less know than such giants at the time including Eugene Ormandy and Fritz Reiner, but once I heard this performance of Berlioz's crowning achievement, I couldn't agree more that it gave such "fiery excitement" (High Fidelity).
The final two movements - March to the Scaffold and Sabbath Night - are an absolute MUST!!! Nailbiting high tempo and a brilliant "cheer" in the March, and a power-pack of musical images of monsters and demons - from the swooping cackle of the witches from the strings - to the high-pitched "church" bells cold as ice - to the Dies Irae played by the low brass and winds full of character (the vibrato and the blend really makes a satire out of this infamous chant) - all portrayed in Sabbath Night.
Even though the sound quality is really dated and certainly not at its cleanest, but still no other performance could be as elecrtifying as this one. Go for it!!!"
The later, and lesser, Munch recording of Symphonie fantasti
Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 06/19/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Readers might miss the correction made down below, which catches David Hurwitz in a blooper: this isn't Munch's 1954 recording of Symphonie fantastique, now reissued on both Living Stereo and hybrid SACD. This is his remake from 1962, and although it is recognizably the same basic performance, there are important differences.
First is the sound: the 1954 recording is more spacious and features closer, more detailed capture of solo instruments--just test the harp at the beginning of Un Bal. Second, Munch had become marginally slower, but that's not as important as the fact that his rhythm and accents feel looser. The BSO doesn't play quite as well, either, having become used to Munch's lax demands for ensemble. So good as this reading is, one can hear its more beautiful twin in better sound."
Track Listings (7) - Disc #1