The honeymoon was still in full swing between Georg Solti and the Chicago Symphony when they recorded Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique in 1972, three years after Solti became the orchestra’s music director. Granted, you won’t find the urbane wit and airy textures that distinguish the classic Fantastiques of Paray and Munch (his 1962 Boston recording), or the optional cornet part in Un Bal that Charles Mackerras and Colin Davis favor. What you do get is an orchestra that tackles this radical score with centered proficiency on every level, from the rich yet never opulent strings to brass playing served in deep-dish, he-man portions. A stinging, full-bodied Les Francs-juges Overture recorded a few years later fills out this highly recommendable disc. [12/21/2000]
