Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique Overtures; Roman Carnival; Beatrice and Benedict (RCA Victor Basic 100, Vol. 24)

Hector Berlioz (Composer), Charles Münch (Conductor), Boston Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Boston Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Charles Münch
• Composer: Hector Berlioz
• Audio CD (October 12, 1993)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B000003FI2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #370,047 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Over the Top, But Full of Character, June 19, 2004

By 

F. Adcock (Silsbee, Texas United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique Overtures; Roman Carnival; Beatrice and Benedict (RCA Victor Basic 100, Vol. 24) (Audio CD)

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Arguably one of the best Symphonie Fantastique Ever, September 28, 2004

By 

Shota Hanai (Torrance, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique Overtures; Roman Carnival; Beatrice and Benedict (RCA Victor Basic 100, Vol. 24) (Audio CD)

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!!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Later and Greater Recording, July 23, 2010

By 

W. R. Caulk - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique Overtures; Roman Carnival; Beatrice and Benedict (RCA Victor Basic 100, Vol. 24) (Audio CD)

I believe most listeners who have not been imprinted on the more famous earlier mid 50s recording by Munch and the BSO would prefer this one. The sonics to my ears are even slightly better than the SACD release of the 54' recording. In this recording, especially from the 4th movement on, the orchestral playing is more intense and visceral - more intense also than that of the recordings by Davis/Concertgebouw or Beecham/French National (my second favorite). The brass in particular in the earlier Munch recording sounds anemic in comparison. However, if how the bells are played out in this music is of great importance to you, you may want the 54' Munch over this one. They sound more gripping and interesting in that recording.