Search - Hector Berlioz, Michael Tilson Thomas, San Francisco Symphony Orchestra :: Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique

Fantastique by Thomas and SFS is Fantastic!

W. Morris | Pensacola, FL USA | 01/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Thomas has done it again with a mighty fine recording of Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique. There's very little to say other than you have to hear it. It shares the top of the heap with Bernstein's most 'psychadelic' version and Munch's very fine most natural sounding (considering most of the players in Boston at the time were of the French school) version all with better sonics. This is first class playing from San Francisco in every movement and a very demonic (and excellently played) E-flat clarinet solo from Luis Baez in Dream of a Witches' Sabbath. Great sonics, great playing, and a very fair price, this adds up to a must own. Get it!"

MTT's Fantastique is a fantastic feast for the ears

Eric S. Kim | Southern California | 02/15/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is my first purchase of Berlioz's "Symphonie Fantastique", and I have to say it really exceeded my expectations while listening to it. I can tell that Tilson Thomas never rushes the piece, nor does he relax it too much. His structural understanding for the entire symphony is apparent while I'm listening to it. Now, just because he has a structural concern for Berlioz doesn't mean that it's bland. Indeed, the SF Symphony gives it a lush sound (the brass perform in a very bold manner). And they can surely whip up a storm in the fourth movement (my favorite at the moment). Audio quality is also a plus, no "crunchy" bass noises whatsoever. In conclusion, I'd say that this recording of "Fantastique" is a great one for beginners and veterans alike. Highly recommended.



Now I'm off to buy the Muti and Plasson recordings, thank you very much!"

It Surprised Me

Samuel Stephens | TN, USA | 08/12/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Alright so I was wrong about MTT: I assumed his disposition towards making music sound "hippie" would never work. But here is obviously does. As the reviewer above acknowledges, this disc is helped greatly by the excellent sound. But still: it is vigorous, well performed, and worth an all-round applause. It is also a very mainstream performance that you could get for your friends who are not-so-inclined towards classical music. It may not be as academic as Gardiner (excellent though that performance is), but it certainly is more exciting.

And "hippie"."