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Post by MartinT on Oct 3, 2020 11:13:45 GMT
October 2020 - Berlioz - Symphonie Fantastique - DavisThe Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique is very episodic, quite Berlioz in style throughout and with moments of thrilling energy interspersed with introspection. The whole thing is composed as a portrait of Harriet Smithson. I have loved this symphony almost since I started loving classical music in my teens, and one thing has stood out for me among all the recordings I've listened to. It isn't a question of which conductor to listen to, it's a question of which of Colin Davis' recordings. There is no-one else. I have chosen the one I have played the most, the performance with the Concertgebouw on Philips. You need a blaring brass section that can really give their all, and the Concertgebouw absolutely nail it. open.qobuz.com/track/10936806 Sadly, this performance appears not to be on Spotify, unless my search-fu is letting me down. I've chosen instead the performance with the VPO, also on Philips. The VPO are not quite up there with the Concertgebouw on this music, but they are close enough and it's still Davis! Enjoy and play it loud!
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Post by julesd68 on Oct 3, 2020 12:12:30 GMT
Thanks Martin, it's quite some time since I last sampled this work - it never made a great connection with me in the past so will be good to re-visit afresh.
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Post by Slinger on Oct 3, 2020 13:24:43 GMT
I've got several versions, but not that one. I'll have to have a bit of a listen as, like Jules, it's been a while.
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Post by jandl100 on Oct 3, 2020 13:34:15 GMT
Your search fu might need a little bit of polishing up, Martin.
I think you'll find your preferred version as the first piece of this compilation on Spotify
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Post by jandl100 on Oct 3, 2020 14:42:24 GMT
It's been several happy decades since I last listened to this. I realise now that the reason those decades were happy is in part due to not having listened to it. As so often with French music I seem to miss the point and just find it either pointless or irritating. In this case both. So, not top marks from me.  |
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Post by MartinT on Oct 3, 2020 15:50:08 GMT
Thanks for finding it on Spotify, Jerry.
I didn't really expect you to like it, knowing your love for French music!
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Post by jandl100 on Oct 3, 2020 15:55:25 GMT
Comme si, Comme ca.
It's inspired me to listen to one of my faves, Berlioz Requiem!
So I don't dislike all French music on principle.
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Post by Slinger on Oct 3, 2020 19:17:33 GMT
After trying Colin Davis (with the LSO) Ansermet, and Bernstein, I've settled on Abbado, with the Chicago S.O.
[EDIT]
3/5 - Simply put, it wasn't quite as fantastique as I thought I remembered it being. I'm sure (from my schooldays) that I recollect it often being "lumped together" with Mussorgsky's Night On A Bare Mountain, which I'm now playing, and enjoying a lot more.
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Post by julesd68 on Oct 3, 2020 22:11:11 GMT
Your search fu might need a little bit of polishing up, Martin. Quite masterful. Truly, you are a next level Ninja of Sirch-Fu. It's been several happy decades since I last listened to this. I realise now that the reason those decades were happy is in part due to not having listened to it.  |
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Post by julesd68 on Oct 8, 2020 14:38:20 GMT
Martin, apologies for my delayed response, it has been a rather challenging few days in different ways.
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Post by MartinT on Oct 8, 2020 19:09:43 GMT
No problem, Jules! I'd rather have your considered opinion than a rushed one.
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Post by julesd68 on Nov 3, 2020 15:43:20 GMT
Thanks for your patience Martin, listening now!
I think the most amazing aspect of this work is the way in which fantasy becomes reality and Berlioz finally managed to marry the actress who inspired it. What a character, supposedly taking an overdose of opium in front of her to prove his undying love and then producing an antidote ...
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Post by jandl100 on Nov 3, 2020 16:08:13 GMT
I think he regretted it afterwards, though - it wasn't a happy marriage.
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Post by julesd68 on Nov 3, 2020 16:54:36 GMT
And the results of the Highgate jury are in!
I have never listened so carefully to this work and enjoyed it much more than previously, especially having reminded myself of the narrative for each movement.
I particularly like the scoring of the second movement with its Grand Ball, beautifully played as you would expect from the Vienna Phil. The third pastoral movement doesn't grab me like it should and certainly overstays its welcome at 17 mins; my attention did wander. Thankfully the final two movements bring redemption.
'Pas mal' Monsieur T!
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