Symphonie fantastique

Hector Berlioz

Recordings

Top Choice

Paul Paray / Detroit Symphony

1959 Mercury Living Presence

Gil's first recommendation. A Mercury Living Presence recording with 'very present, very detailed, very vibrant' sound. The performance has 'French charm' and 'character.'

Also Worth Hearing

Sir Thomas Beecham / Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Française

1959

Beecham 'just had this dramatic panache' and this recording is 'real exciting and powerful and characterful.'

Sir Colin Davis / Concertgebouw

1974

'Not as exciting as some others, but it's very beautiful, really gorgeous.' Good for hearing 'the beauty and the detail in the orchestral sound.'

Pierre Monteux / Paris Symphony Orchestra

1931

Very limited sound, but 'boy, is it exciting and fun. It's just like this spontaneous romp.'