Welcome to ‘Dodd’s Discoveries’, a review series from NativeDSD Senior Music Reviewer Bill Dodd. This series focuses on Bill’s latest selections, with new reviews regularly. And the best part… the albums featured in the most current review will be available at a reduced price! Click the button below to see all of Dodd’s Discoveries and to find the current album(s) on sale.
Berlioz: Le Carnaval Romain & Symphonie Fantastique (The Roman Carnival & Fantastic Symphony)
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In 1830 Hector Berlioz created a groundbreaking, programmatic work about an artist who falls in love with a woman, becomes obsessed with her but is rejected, and eventually kills her. The Symphonie Fantastique was the first major symphony to follow a written narrative – a radical departure from the “absolute music” of earlier composers. Innovative orchestration and unusual instruments, along with an expanded orchestra really set it apart.
At one of his Young People’s Concerts, Leonard Bernstein referred to the Symphonie Fantastique as “The first psychedelic symphony in history.” He said, “Berlioz tells it like it is. You take a trip, you wind up screaming at your own funeral” Wow! It premiered only six years after Beethoven’s Ninth! Berlioz’ innovations in orchestration and performance set the stage for composers Mahler, Strauss, Rimsky-Korsakov, and virtually every composer who followed.
For many, the go-to recording of this landmark work was by Charles Munch in Boston, a recording which was my introduction. Bernstein’s, from the late 50’s, is also considered one of the top choices. Each of these are wonderful, and wring huge amounts of emotion and story-telling out of the pages.
My Discovery this time is the recent release from Rafael Payare and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. The recording is spectacular. The performance stands with the earlier ones, but it is not the same. Payare takes a little more time, and probably comes closer to what Berlioz had in mind. There is plenty of excitement, and the Witches’ Sabbath will unnerve you just as much.
By the way, opinions are divided. Some critics say it needs more excitement. I say the excitement is there when it’s appropriate, and is more thrilling because of that.
There are two other performances of the Symphonie Fantastique available from Native DSD: Marek Janowski in Pittsburgh, and Daniele Gatti with the Concertgebouw. Both are excellent and sound great, but I really like this one from Rafael Payare. I’m listening to it again as I write this. Highly recommended.
You might also be interested in this amazing opera that sounds like it was written 50 years later than it was…
