Search - Vienno Philharmonic Orchestra :: Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14 (Colin Davis/Vienna Philharmonic)

Thrilling

David Saemann | 06/05/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have heard the first three of Colin Davis's four recordings of the Symphonie Fantastique. Of those three, this one is the best, and possibly one of the best ever. It is more flexible than the earlier versions, with beautifully detailed string playing. There is his typical use of the repeat in the first movement and the cornet parts in the second, and both make a great deal of sense. Where the Vienna Philharmonic scores above the Concertgebouw and the London Symphony in the previous recordings is in the lyricism of its performance. There is also a great sounding and unusual bell in the last movement. The recording was made in the Musikverein, and the sound engineering represents the orchestra very well, with a slight bit of cloudiness in the tuttis. Digital sound is a great advantage over the two earlier analogue versions, as the string pianissimi are most striking and the brass are loud and thrilling. This recording hasn't gotten the publicity of Davis's previous two versions, in part because critics were already acquainted with his distinctive interpretation. I find this CD treasurable."