Jean Martinon - Berlioz: Symphony Fantastique (1973) [2021 SACD Definition Serie]

Martinon's monumental performance, "Fantastic Symphony" recorded in 1973, has been vividly revived. Among the many recordings of this work by French musicians, this masterpiece has earned its own place. The 2nd movement uses a cornet and makes full use of the texture of the orchestra at that time, and the latest reproduction of the important recordings left by this duo, including the coupling "Port of Call". The vivid color beauty is wonderful. Mastered separately from the SACD layer and CD layer using a master digitized at 192 kHz / 24 bit from the original analog master tape of the home country. With new commentary. It is a permanent preservation board. World's first SACD.
Jean Martinon (1910-76) was just 110 years old in 2020. At the end of 2020, he released Ravel's complete orchestral works (TDSA179), a masterpiece on par with Debussy, and has just renewed his excitement with its revived high-quality sound quality. For this reprint, we have selected a total of 2 items: "Fantastic Symphony", which is famous as a masterpiece alongside the above-mentioned board, and an album (TDSA185) based on Saint-Saëns' "With Organ" released at the same time. Regardless of the original release form, taking advantage of the CD's long recording time, other noteworthy sound sources are also included.
"Fantastic Symphony" is surprisingly Martinon's only recording. In the past, many masterpieces have been released, and of course there are many recordings by French conductors. Among them, this recording by Martinon is a orthodox performance in a sense, seriously facing the song. It doesn't have the enthusiasm of Munch and the dynamism that maximizes the functions of the orchestra, but it has the right control after skillfully capturing the characteristics of each player and the texture of the French National Radio Orchestra at the time. I can hear you. The cornet part is restored in the second movement, and the tempo that flows well throughout is also attractive. This time, we combined Iver's "Port of Call" as a coupling. It's a song with a different color, but I hope you can feel the difference in color by the composer and the fun of the orchestration. The performance is atmospheric and full of grace. Among the songs included in this reprint, please pay attention to how some of the masterpieces up to the 1960s represented by Munch and Cluytens are depicted in the Martinon era, and their changes and transitions.

*As it is a machine translation, the result may not provide an accurate description.
Please use it only as a reference.


Tracks:

1. Hector Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14
2. Jacques Ibert: Escales

Personnel:

French National Radio Orchestra
Conducted by Jean Martinon

Recorded:
January 19, 26, 27 & 29, 1973, Salle Wagram, Paris (1)
October 28-30 & November 7, 1974, Salle Wagram, Paris (2)