Colin Davis’ new live rendition of the Berlioz Symphonie fantastique adds nothing interpretively to his three Philips studio recordings. Davis always has taken a rather straight-laced and decidedly un-fantastic approach to the piece (more like a “Symphonie ordinaire”), notwithstanding the truckloads of praise the British critics have heaped upon his performances and his undoubted credentials as a Berlioz advocate in many of the composer’s other works. This LSO Live release finds Davis once again with his original band, but with much less impressive results than his first efforts (probably his best version, overall). One main culprit here is the dim, hazy recording, which makes the orchestra sound like it’s playing in the next room, even though individual details occasionally do emerge–like the Spanish-sounding cornets in the waltz movement.
The London Symphony’s playing is certainly professional, if a little prosaic, with the strings taking on a work-a-day air in the “delirium” passages of the first movement, and the brass sounding decidedly non-threatening in the March to the Scaffold. Things finally come to life in the Witches Sabbath, with closing passages (including some great Benny Goodman-like clarinet squeals) that by comparison are almost thrilling. Regardless, this performance has none of the hallucinogenic aura of Bernstein’s first NYPO recording, or the fire-breathing passion of Munch/Boston, or the suave sensuality of Muti/Philadelphia, and certainly not the lush sonics of Davis’ earlier editions. The appended overture receives a decent enough reading, but it’s not terribly relevant to the overall recommendation. Avoid this one.
