Search - Berlioz, Thomas, San Francisco Symphony :: Symphonie Fantastique / Excerpts From Lelio

Berlioz, Thomas, San Francisco Symphony
Symphonie Fantastique / Excerpts From Lelio
Genre: Classical

Track Listings (7) - Disc #1
1. Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14: Reveries-Passions
2. Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14: Un bal/ A Ball
3. Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14: Scene In The Country
4. Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14: March To The Scaffold
5. Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14: Dream Of A Witches' Sabbath
6. L?lio Or The Return To Life, Op. 14bis: II. Chorus of the Shades
7. L?lio Or The Return To Life, Op. 14bis: VI. Fantasia On Shakespear's 'The Tempest'

CD Details

All Artists: Berlioz, Thomas, San Francisco Symphony
Title: Symphonie Fantastique / Excerpts From Lelio
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: RCA
Release Date: 5/19/1998
Genre: Classical
Styles: Opera & Classical Vocal, Historical Periods, Romantic (c.1820-1910), Symphonies
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 090266893027

Synopsis

Amazon.com

No one expected it, but Thomas has given us the greatest Symphonie fantastique since Charles Munch's Boston Symphony recordings of the '50s and '60s. Granted, he's a fine conductor with an excellent reputation, but every conductor has his "specialties," and Thomas has always leaned towards the Russian Romantics. Berlioz is very difficult to do well: you have to respond to the almost neurotic emotional climate and orchestral brilliance with seeming abandon, while never letting the performance spin out of control. That's exactly what Thomas does. His traversal of the symphony is fanatically detailed, sensationally played and recorded, and, above all, focused. He knows exactly where the music is going, and what a pleasure it is to let your ears follow his lead! --David Hurwitz

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Member CD Reviews

Marc M. from RANSOMVILLE, NY
Reviewed on 11/3/2012...

My feelings toward this recording are summed up in the title: Fantastic Symphony !
I have 2 of these or I wouldn't be giving up this one.

CD Reviews

This is an excellent performance!

07/13/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Tilson Thomas brings out the full character of each movement of the Symphonie Fantastique. This recording has an extreme style to it. Each movement conveys the appropriate mood. I love the dynamic contrasting! Some movements are a little slow at times, but the styles and fabulous playing by the San Francisco Symphony make the piece a real pleasure to listen to!"

Not inferior to classical musicians.

R. Unser | 08/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a classical trombonist, I will go on record as saying the musicians do NOT struggle with any passage within the symphony. Tilson Thomas' rendering is as close to flawless as I have heard. By contrast, the brass in the "incomparable London Philharmonic" sound bright, weak and tinny, while the strings are far too erratic to call a polished performance! I would rate this recording ahead of the Montreal Symphony and on par with the Concertgebouw. I own close to 15 recordings of this work and this is, by far, the best"

One of the very best

emmkay | Illinois | 04/24/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"IMHO, this is one of the finest recent recordings of this magnificent work, second perhaps only to Mariss Jansons fantastic recording with the Concertgebouw on EMI. I was lucky enough to hear this conductor/orchestra pairing perform this piece live on tour a few years ago and can say that this recording lacks none of the emotional immediacy they are capable of live. To me this performance proves that the SFSO rightfully belongs among the finest virtuoso orchestras in the world. Few have recorded this piece with such stellar ensemble playing. Note to Tina: if you read the score, Berlioz says that the bells are supposed to be placed 'derriere la scene' - behind the stage. Tilson Thomas's bells are not too sweet at all. They are how they should be. Most other conductors ignore that instruction unfortnately. The witches aren't dancing on the market square after all."

MTT brings vitality to an old favorite

Hermes Camacho | Boulder, CO | 10/04/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"By far one of the most energetic and colorful performances of Symphonie Fantastique, MTT and the San Francisco Symphony does it again! The one thing that struck me the most on the first hearing was the power and life that the orchestra seems to put into the work. Each player seems excited to be performing and that kind of tenacity shows in a recording. The interpretation is briliant, with lush strings and virtusic winds. The percussion section of this orchestra is simply amazing, giving the the 4th movement march the most militaristic feel of any recording, thus far. Each solo is beautiful and the idee fixe element found in all of the movements is always so full of longing sadness. The attacks are so together, that the burst of sound that is brought forth is so startling and powerful. I love the brass in this group, particular the high trumpets, who give such clean attacks and overall performances. The strings are just so amazingly lush, but clean at the same time. MTT is able to bring a wide array of color to this work and orchestra is just fantastic. You won't regret this recording."

Demonstration Class Performace and Recording

Peter Prainito | Lombard, IL USA | 07/29/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With this being the bicentennial of Berlioz's birth I've been on a mission to listen to as many versions of his famous "Symphonie Fantastique" that I can get my hands on. I must own at least 12 different versions. They all have their merits, but this recording with Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony blew me away. It grips you from the start to finish. The orchestra plays with precision, emotion, and fire. The sound quality is truly in the demonstration class. My only disappointment (minor) is the omission of the obbligato cornets. With the addition of highlights from "Lélio" this is truly a generous CD in both time value (75+ minutes) and content. Highly recommended."