Symphonie Fantastique: Bernstein / Nyp

There are few orchestral showpieces more exciting than Hector Berlioz's 'Symphonie Fantastique.' The program of Berlioz's work, which is really more tone poem than symphony, tells the story of a young man's opium induced journey into madness. With vivid orchestral colors, Berlioz's five movement work vividly portrays episodes from the infatuated young hero's life. Most memorable are the horrifying final two movements: "March to the Scaffold" and "Dream of a Witches' Sabbath."
On this recording Leonard Bernstein directs the New York Philharmonic Orchestra in a performance that is part of the "Bernstein Century" series on Sony. Bernstein and the orchestra bring intensity to the first movement entitled "Reveries" and nervous energy to the second movement, "A Ball." Of course its the last two movements that bring down the house and Bernstein is up to the challenge with a harrowing finale and a chilling declaration of the terrifying "Dies Irae" theme. Bernstein's lecture "Berlioz Takes a Trip" is included as a bonus and it's an ideal way to learn more about Berlioz and his remarkable composition.