Blind Comparison: Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Count me in. One of my favourite works. AND - I'll be hearing it live in two weeks' time (our local Delft Symphony Orchestra will be playing it...)

[TheGSMoeller]

Count me in. One of my favourite works. AND - I'll be hearing it live in two weeks' time (our local Delft Symphony Orchestra will be playing it...)

Very cool, you'll have to get back to us after the show and tell us about it!

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Will do!

[xochitl]

maybe i should get wasted for the final round

[madaboutmahler]

Yes I'm in, please.

Though I do wonder what repeated exposure to the idée fixe, is going to do for my sanity, or anyone else's come to that!

Count me in. One of my favourite works. AND - I'll be hearing it live in two weeks' time (our local Delft Symphony Orchestra will be playing it...)

Great to have you on board!!

Collecting recordings at the moment, hopefully we'll be able to start soon after a week!

[AnthonyAthletic]

Daniel,

Count me in.

Adore the work. 

Tony

[Reverend Bong]

I'm in, as the owner of a single rather crackly old vinyl version which appears to have been passed from hand to hand by people eating cream cakes, it will be a great opportunity to choose a replacement.

Bong

[Wanderer]

I'm not familiar with the details of the whole process (haven't been following the other similar threads, will take a glance later on) but since this is a work very close to my heart, do count me in as well, if you haven't closed the ledgers of course.

[TheGSMoeller]

I'm not familiar with the details of the whole process (haven't been following the other similar threads, will take a glance later on) but since this is a work very close to my heart, do count me in as well, if you haven't closed the ledgers of course.

You're not too late at all, hopefully first round will be sent out by this upcoming weekend. 

[madaboutmahler]

Great to have you too on board!

By the way, just in case I've forgotten to mention, Greg and I shall be running this comparison together. He's extremely passionate about this work so I am very happy to be working with him!

As Greg says, we should be starting by the upcoming weekend.

Thanks again to all that have signed up!

[Wanderer]

You're not too late at all, hopefully first round will be sent out by this upcoming weekend. 

Splendid!

[Reverend Bong]

I'm not familiar with the details of the whole process (haven't been following the other similar threads, will take a glance later on) but since this is a work very close to my heart, do count me in as well, if you haven't closed the ledgers of course.

nor am I, could we have a quick run-down for us nooobs?

[North Star]

Won't have time to participate in this one, although I sure wish I had.

nor am I, could we have a quick run-down for us nooobs?

The listeners and recordings are divided in groups (it's possible to participate in one, two, or all of them), and the groups of recordings are probably mixed each round. You rank the recordings, and the ones that are ranked lowest are dropped off and named after each round.

I hope I'm not stepping on Daniel's toes here, but I would like to tell you the format that I suggested and I think he will use.

Round 1: Excerpts from Mvts. 1 and 5 - app. 12-13 mins for each recording
Round 2: Excerpts from Mvts. 2 and 4 - app. 6-7 mins for each recording
Final Round: Entire recording

First, the separation of the excerpts. Symphonie Fantastique creates an incredible arc, both in the music and in the story contained within. And much of the important dramatic development occurs during it's tremendous bookends, 1. Rêveries – Passions (Daydreams – Passions) and 5. Songe d'une nuit de sabbat (Dream of a Witches' Sabbath). I believe that by beginning the round with excerpts from the 1st and 2nd mvt. would eliminate the chance for the listener to hear this arc and performances or interpretations that build the intensity could be missed. I personally know of recordings that have a good opening Reveries, but build to a knock out of a finale. The middle movement 3. Scène aux champs (Scene in the Country) will only be heard in the final round, this is to decrease the amount of listeners falling asleep during this time. (Might be an inside joke, but I know some will appreciate it  )

Now to the timing of the rounds. The first round is obviously longer than the second, and for good reason. First off the opening and final movements are longer than the other two, thus allowing more of the recording to be presented. But there is a better reason, and it's main focus is the first movement. I suggested that almost half of Reveries be played in order to reach the idée fixe, the true star of this piece. I find it being an important section of the entire symphony, plus it's around this time that the orchestra begins to show it's muscle. It's about 8-9 mins in length to this part. And the final movement will reach until around the dies irae section, or even through the dies irae section, the bell is always an important factor.

I know the opening round may seem long, but I find it important to hit these major sections early and help in getting accurate votes. 

Hopefully this helps in understanding some of the changes made. I'm really excited for this comparison.

[Beale]

Greg's idea seems too good to miss. So please count me in the game as well.

[Reverend Bong]

Won't have time to participate in this one, although I sure wish I had.

The listeners and recordings are divided in groups (it's possible to participate in one, two, or all of them), and the groups of recordings are probably mixed each round. You rank the recordings, and the ones that are ranked lowest are dropped off and named after each round.

so if I understand you correctly each group of listeners has a different set of recordings to consider

[Sergeant Rock]

so if I understand you correctly each group of listeners has a different set of recordings to consider

In the early rounds, yes. In the final round we all listen to the same finalists. In the early rounds, if you have time and the desire, you can listen to and vote for the other sets too. Just ask the mod to send you the links.

Sarge

[madaboutmahler]

Thank you all for your patience! Greg and I have now finalized the list of  recordings, and have got them all together. Hoping to start sending out the links for Round 1 tommorow evening!

[Daverz]

Just downloaded the first round (Thanks!).  Has anyone tried to play this back via Squeezebox?

[I ended up converting the wmv to individual flacs with Audacity.]

[madaboutmahler]

Thank you all for your patience!
All Group A and C links should have been sent out now. If you have not recieved a link, then you are in Group B. Sorry for the wait! I will be getting this link out over the weekend.

Shall we make the voting deadline in the first week of December?

Hope you all enjoy the comparison!

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Thanks for the link to Group A, Daniel! First week of December sounds fine to me. Tomorrow night I'll be hearing the symphony live here in Delft, played by a local orchestra, consisting of very good amateurs and professionals...