★★☆☆☆ Barenboim is dull and the Berlin Phil sounds dull too, if that is possible

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantasique

Simon Rattle's recording of the Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique with the Berlin Philharmonic had a mixed reception. Critics complained about a lack of drama, a tendency to fuss over details. And there's good reason for the hesitation many record reviewers showed. All the same, I think most listeners agreed that the sound of the orchestra was splendid, and Rattle voiced with astonishing precision; there just wasn't enough interpretive flow.

But what happens when a conductor records a warhorse with a great orchestra and bulls his way through? If you succumb to the curiosity, make a scramble for this CD. Daniel Barenboim simply doesn't have anything to say here. He charges through with no feeling of character, much less suspense or mystery. One couldn't say that there are "problems" with the interpretation; there isn't one to begin with. The Berlin Phil sounds better than your average orchestra, but they've played rapturously for a tepid baton bearer on multiple occcasion. If the Berlin Phil can sound dull, they do here.

That's almost an accomplishment, really. If the Berlin Phil doesn't come through with ringing authority, it's a pretty bad comment on the conductor. Inspiration is in this orchestra's bones, waiting to be released, yet it doesn't happen here. At times the playing sounds heartless and there's even an occasional lack of clarity in the sound. The Scene aux champs just rambles on incessantly. 

No, you needn't go out of your way for this disc. And I'm dropping my rating to two stars because I find Barenboim's belittling of a great orchestra intolerable. Be wise and stick with the great readings from Bernstein, Davis, Gergiev, and the stellar new BR reading from Jansons.