Blind Comparison: Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique

[Karl Henning]

Interesting even just to scan the results.

[TheGSMoeller]

I quite liked the Ticciati/Scottish Chamber performance. My favorite Amazon seller has a like-new copy for €11. I might grab it.

Sarge

I also really enjoy Ticciati/Scottish Chamber (truth is I enjoy all my SF recordings in some manner) I would say grab it, especially if you're a fan of Norrington/LCP

[TheGSMoeller]

Interesting even just to scan the results.

you should participate, Mr. Henning. feel free to join this round.

[madaboutmahler]

By my reckoning it must have been a very close thing, between Abbado and C3

Yes, there was just one point between them!

For interest, currently in the lead: A4 (with 90% of it's possible votes!!!), and next would be B2 (with 80%).

[Que]

Just out of curiosity: would Markevitch still be in the race or do his recordings not compete?

Q

[TheGSMoeller]

Just out of curiosity: would Markevitch still be in the race or do his recordings not compete?

Q

That must be kept secret, Que. 

[Sergeant Rock]

I also really enjoy Ticciati/Scottish Chamber (truth is I enjoy all my SF recordings in some manner) I would say grab it, especially if you're a fan of Norrington/LCP

Done.

Sarge

[trung224]

  This result is very interesting. I suspect C6 was Solti's because of the powerful, driven playing with ordinary interpretation, but it is Abbado's. The Munch's 1954 account is good but inferior to his 1962 remake (the only reason I think why Sony put this performance to SACD is that it is the first stereo recording of living presence series). But I am very appy that all my favorite performances: Markevitch, Munch 1962, Berstein, Beecham, Paray still go through.

[TheGSMoeller]

  This result is very interesting. I suspect C6 was Solti's because of the powerful, driven playing with ordinary interpretation, but it is Abbado's. The Munch's 1954 account is good but inferior to his 1962 remake (the only reason I think why Sony put this performance to SACD is that it is the first stereo recording of living presence series). But I am very appy that all my favorite performances: Markevitch, Munch 1962, Berstein, Beecham, Paray still go through.

You sure all those are in there? 

[Que]

But I am very appy that all my favorite performances: Markevitch, Munch 1962, Berstein, Beecham, Paray still go through.

Which Markevitch - with the Berliner or Orchestre Lamoureux?

Q

[trung224]

You sure all those are in there? 

No  But I think at least two of them are on second round.

Which Markevitch - with the Berliner or Orchestre Lamoureux?

Q

Both are superb but the one with BPO is more special. First because Markevitch's interpretation is more wild and passionate in the first attempt with BPO than the remake with Orchestre Lamoureux. Second, despite the advantage Gallic sound, the execution of Orchestre Lamoureux is not good, string is very thin and don't offer enough weighty in several sections, especially in the last movement

[Que]

Both are superb but the one with BPO is more special. First because Markevitch's interpretation is more wild and passionate in the first attempt with BPO than the remake with Orchestre Lamoureux. Second, despite the advantage Gallic sound, the execution of Orchestre Lamoureux is not good, string is very thin and don't offer enough weighty in several section, especially in the last movement

The BPO is my favourite too.

Q

[mjwal]

The BPO is my favourite too.

Q

I'm following this with bated breath (I would have loved to participate, but circumstances forbid much concentrated listening to music right now) - I too rate the Markevitch/BPO SF very highly as a performance, despite rather muffled, non-transparent sound; another "historical (w)rec(k)" probably not on your BC list is Erich Fried's with a Soviet orchestra, quite demonic but very dodgy sound. I also have a weakness for the Barbirolli. Anyway, I need a new SF - the last was MTT/San Francisco - so hurry up!

[Sergeant Rock]

I'm following this with bated breath ....I need a new SF - the last was MTT/San Francisco - so hurry up!

I suggest you take a deep breath, and then resume breathing normally for the forseeable future. The first round took 6 weeks to complete (the links to the clips went out on 17 Nov; the results posted 31 Dec). At this rate the winner will be announced on April Fool's Day 


Sarge

[TheGSMoeller]

Alright, everyone just calm down!   

I'm sure the second and final round will pick up speed, Daniel ended up being quite busy, as with most of us during the holiday season, and votes came in fairly slowly, and in some cases not at all.

Trust me, the wait will be rewarding, there are 12 very good recordings still in the chase, it should be interesting to see who is still standing in the end.

[madaboutmahler]

All links sent out yesterday evening, I hope they all got to you alright. If there are any problems, please do not hesitate to let me know.

As for the voting deadline, now that the Christmas season is coming to an end, shall we see where we are after 2 weeks? So how about making the voting deadline 20th January?

Hope you enjoy this round!! Some very exciting performances here!

[TheGSMoeller]

Great job, Daniel. Thanks. 

[aukhawk]

Round 2 Group Y - 2>(4=6)>1>3>5
A4>(B4=C4)>A2>B1>C3

I enjoyed most of the waltzes, apart from Y3 (a bit sleepy, not much dance about it) and Y5 (a strange 'lagging' on the downbeat - presumably a stylistic mannerism but just sounded ragged to me).
The other four were all very different but had a lot to like -
Y1, lyrical, straight ballroom approach, recording not the best.
Y2, driven, strict tempo, dancers would be breathless at the end of this one!  I like!
Transfer is a bit loud and has to be played quieter relative to the others, to get a fair comparison.
Y4, middle-of-the-road waltz, not much dynamic, lovely detailed recording with harp-led balance.
Y6, jagged dynamics and nuanced 'effects' in the phrasing, everywhere.  I'm guessing this will be popular, but for me it's a bit wearing, I like my music played straighter than this.

Adding in the march to the scaffold -
Y1, (A2), march taken slow and a bit draggy, I did like the waltz but with the indifferent recording I'm placing this 4th.
Y2, (A4), after that manic waltz the march was a bit disappointing - drums very muffled in the mix which otherwise is surprisingly detailed, with interesting snarly noises from the brass. I don't want to lose this one so although this group is tight at the top - overall 1st.
Y3, (B1), the 2nd-best march in the group for me, steadily gains momentum to a storming finish.  Overall 5th though - didn't like the waltz.
Y4, (B4), good slow tempo, lots of instrumental detail, over-smooth though until a rather wild acceleration towards the end.  It's just a safe all-rounder this one, lots to like but it lacks thrills and many of the others are better in parts - I just can't put it 1st in this company - overall 2nd.
Y5, (C3), similar slow tempo to Y4, combined with a repeat that no others take, makes for an inexorable slow build.  Impressive, but somewhat muddy acoustic lets this one down, for me.  Doesn't really deserve last place but with the laggy waltz - there it is - 6th.
Y6, (C4), the best march, played very straight and the drums are just outstanding throughout.  I had reservations about the waltz but let's face it, the march is the thing - promoted to 3rd overall (really 2nd= with Y4).

[edited to add cross-links to original groups]

[madaboutmahler]

Francis, thank you very much for getting your vote back so early! I assume from Y1, you mean A2 etc? I think from your comments I got the performance anyway

If you have the time, would you like to do Group X as well?

[aukhawk]

Sounds like I missed something!  I just downloaded a 'group Y' but didn't notice any tagging referring to the original group references.

So my listen was 'double blind' insofar as I didn't attempt to match these 6 with anything I heard previously.  On balance I see that as a Good Thing - just taking these two movements on their merits - though I'll be very interested to learn the relations later.
I kinda formed the impression that Y2==A4 and Y4==A5 but from what you say at least one of those is obviously mistaken! 
If we need to clarify I can confirm with a couple of timings.

I'll be happy to do group X if it seems short of votes - maybe give it a week or so.  Meanwhile I await other results with great interest.  Good game!