Roger Norrington's fascinating reading of Symphonie fantastique re-creates the startling sounds of
Hector Berlioz's orchestra and presents this work in a dramatic new light. By using period instruments and following documented historical practices,
Norrington and the
London Classical Players make a convincing case for their historically informed rendition. Rejecting the accretions of later interpretations,
Norrington instead executes
Berlioz's precise instructions in the score; and by maintaining appropriate tempi and dynamics throughout, he gives the work coherence and vitality. Following the known performance style of the Paris Conservatoire, the strings play with a light tone, and their flexibility in fast passages is thrilling. The early nineteenth century brass are particularly distinctive: valveless trumpets, narrow-bore trombones, and ophicleides offer timbres unfamiliar to modern ears, yet their contributions to
Berlioz's palette give evidence that the composer wanted differentiation in tone rather than a homogeneous blend. The orchestra's stage layout is in accordance with one
Berlioz used in his performances during the 1830s, with a "stereophonic" arrangement of the orchestral groups that makes the score's effects more dramatic. In sum,
Norrington presents a streamlined and more classically nuanced Symphonie fantastique, with the composer's intentions put above all other considerations. Originally recorded and released in 1989 on EMI, this 2006 Virgin reissue comes with
Norrington's 1990 recording of Overture to Les Francs-juges, which serves as boisterous filler.