Berlioz symphonie fantastique best recording.

I have the Colin Davis Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam on Philips LP from 1974 and it is very good indeed.

But I'm afraid I don't have another version to compare with. 

Colin Davis certainly has an imposing reputation in this work. If you download, there's a recent HiRes version from Linn by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra under Robin Ticciati that garnered good reviews. I enjoyed it, but think I'd still prefer a full size orchestra in this work.

I'm grateful for your post on this Bluetorric as it is ages since I played this piece and have just had great pleasure doing so.

Turns out I do have another version also - Paul Paray and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. The Davis is much better.

I can't articulate why well enough. But there is a well written review of the Davis on Amazon. And you can get it on CD for less than six quid!

Its a no brainer.

Two more worthy of consideration: Dutoit/Montreal (Decca) and Chung/Bastille (DG). The former is an established recommendation but Chung isn't half bad, either.

Cheers,

EJ

Of the historic recordings, the Palm goes to Pierre Monteux and the Paris Symphony Orchestra recorded by HMV Pathe Marconi, the French branch, in 1930, and very well transferred from 78s on Pearl [Pavilion Records] CD.

I agree that Colin Davis has produced a most satisfying recording of it for Philips.

And for something else, consider the glorious performance by the Philharmonia under Otto Klemperer. There is a reason this recording has been in the catalogue almost continuously for more than 50 years. It is not what the Klemperer "legend" might lead you to expect, and no other recording comes close to revealing so much of both structure and detail in this, whilst being as dramatic as heck as well.

Recently released once again by EMI on the new "Klemperer Edition," with the New World Symphony, Schubert's Five, Eight and Nine, Schumann's four, and Frank's D Minor Symphony at a very nice price!

ATB from George 

Another vote for Klemperer and the Philharmonia Orchestra.  Superb.

My personal favourite though is Monteux's rather more controversial recording with the Vienna Philharmonic, recorded by Decca and released on the RCA living stereo label - SB2090.  The earlier of Munch's two recordings on the same label is also well worth having.

If you want an "audiophile" recording then there's always Kojian and the Utah Symphony Orchestra on Reference Recordings RR-11.  It's a good performance and the SQ can be stunning, particularly the vinyl issue spread over three sides.  The fourth side is a repeat of the third - the reasoning here being that audiophiles will be playing the final movement rather a lot to show off what their stereo system can do.  I guess RR know their market...

I also love the Monteux/Vienna Phil recording.

It's got a full bodied and warm tonal balance with excellent frequency extensions. Natural sounding early stereo with no hint of jagged edges anywhere. Brass cut through just as they should but free of distortion and earache. Ditto for massed strings and piccolos. This is a nicely done record. 

Monteux's direction is lyrical and a ballet like presentation. Big and enveloping but smaller and finer instruments do not get burried.

I bought this record because of the kitschy cover art.

Kuma, I love those Kitchy US covers.  That's one I don't have.  I have to make do with the rather more staid UK Decca/RCA issue;

Richard, yes, I prefer the "staid" UK cover myself with the nudes and all 

Thanks for all your help and insight guys.

I have gone for 2 recordings, The Davis /concertgebouw  and the Klemperer.

All I need now is the best Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet.......

Maazel and the Cleveland Orchestra on Decca.  Superb performance and one of Decca's finest recordings from the '70s.

Thanks Richard,  I will try to track it down..............

Romeo & Juliet, Prokofiev:  The LSO Live label recording conducted by Gergiev is very good - it sounds superb especially playing its SACD layer.  Another highly thought of performance, also by the LSO is by Andre Previn on EMI.  Whichever recording you choose it's a wonderful ballet!

Just for completeness (and trainspotters!).....

Colin Davis is very probably your best choice in just about any Berlioz piece, but he's had four recordings of this fantastique symphony.

First off, a fairly early effort for Philips with the LSO (no longer available, as far as I'm aware).

Next, his famous Concertgebouw account for Philips, his first ever recording with that splendid orcestra, made in their wonderful home. Still available at lower medium price.

Then a slight oddity, recorded with the Wiener Philharmoniker, one of very few he has ever made with that orchestra, perhaps made because Philips wanted to be able to show DIGITAL on the cover. It's practically the same reading as the Concertgebouw account, and no longer available.

Sir Colin's most recent recording is back with the LSO, some 40 years on, on the LSO Live label. And there's the problem: the infamous Barbican acoustic! Very shrill.

I have his second and third accounts, and would be happy with either on my desert island, but the Amsterdam one is still available, while the Vienna isn't. 
 

Berlioz / Orchestre de la Radiodiffusion Francaise - not everyone's cup of tea but I like it

I can also recommend Ataulfo Argenta's version on Decca/London.

AFAIK this recording (from 1974?) is also available as SACD in Pentatone's RQR series.

Jay, if you like Argenta, do you have the Ataulfo Argenta Edition box set on vinyl? 

 But of course ...