This was the second of Colin Davis’ four recordings of the Symphonie fantastique, three of them for Philips alone. Was there anything in his interpretation to justify this sort of overkill? Not really. His first version, with the London Symphony, remains his best: a sensitive and at times exciting performance that, while hardly manic, fit nicely into its niche as part of his LSO Berlioz cycle. Curiously, almost all of Davis’ other Berlioz recordings from that epochal series made a better impression than his Symphonie fantastique, possibly because competition in this work even then was pretty fierce. This first remake, though very beautifully played, simply lacks necessary excitement and “edge” in the last two movements, a fact made all the more damaging by the dry, bass-less recorded sound (faults not corrected in this latest remastering). It attracted critical attention (discounting the usual “Brit factor”) primarily because of Davis’ observance of repeats and his use of the optional coronet part in the second movement, and if this is still a priority with you, his comparatively sober leadership might satisfy. I find that he inspires respect more than affection. If you want a thrilling recording of the Symphonie fantastique, then choice still resides with Bernstein (Sony), Munch (RCA), Paray (Mercury Living Presence), Karajan II (DG), Markevitch (DG), Muti (EMI), Martinon (EMI), or the recent Tilson Thomas (RCA), among several others. Incidentally, this performance is also available on the Penguin Classics line, which generally retails more cheaply than this “Philips 50” incarnation.
