Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique; recommendations....

I would have to highly recommend Charles Munch - Boston Symphony Jvc Xrcd (JMCXR-0001) rendition of Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique. This would be my first choice in a cd purchase. Enclused below are a few review links
of this cd.

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/music/0302/symphonie.htm

http://www.audaud.com/audaud/NOV01/xrcds/xrcdsNOV01.html

To the gentlemen who have recommended the XRCD of Symphonie Fantastique, have you compared them to other pressings? I ask because while I am a fan of XRCD's, I find that many people hype them based on the fact that they are XRCD's...........not based on the performances themselves.

For a very recent and interesting performance try Minkowski. I heard it & was very impressed (don't remember the particulars, sorry).
Otherwise, Sir T Beecham/ French Radio Tel. Orch is legendary (EMI, 1957/8) and P. Monteux/Paris S O from the '30s (Music & Arts) is extraordinarily powerful. As you can expect, the sound on the '30s version, is nothing to write home about -- but bearable nonetheless.

I have not heard the Munch XRCD but do own the Munch/RCA Cd and think the sound may be a litlle above average but nothing spectacular.....especially when compared to a newer top recording like Dutoit/London.

I am really not all that impressed with the Munch/RCA performance either but keep it around because so many professional reviewers seem to like it.

if you don't mind a mono recording then try Van Beinum with Ceoncertgebouw from 1946...the best i've ever heard!