Berlioz – Symphonie Fantastique
Orchestre de la Francophonie;
Jean-Philippe Tremblay
Analekta AN 2 9998
To my mind, there are few major orchestral works that embody the spirit of early romanticism better than the Symphonie Fantastique by Hector Berlioz. Completed in 1830, this monumental work was subtitled “Episode in the Life of an Artist,” and tells of a lovesick young musician who attempts to poison himself with opium. The drug doesn’t prove strong enough to cause death, but instead, only creates fantastic visions, all of which are glowingly portrayed throughout the symphony. And who better to interpret this myriad of ever-contrasting moods than the Orchestre de la Francophonie under the direction of Jean-Philippe Tremblay on this new Analekta recording? The Ottawa-and-Montreal-based ensemble was founded in 2001, and since then has gone on to earn an enviable reputation as one of North America’s most vibrant youth orchestras. I’ve asked the question, “Do French musicians best interpret French music?” before, and the question is still open to debate. Nevertheless, in this case it certainly doesn’t hurt, for the OF’s performance is splendid.
From the cautious and hesitant mood of the opening measures, Tremblay demonstrates a full command of the score, coaxing a warm and expressive sound from the orchestra. We can truly feel the despair of the love-stricken young man! The second movement finds our hero at a ball, and the music is appropriately light and graceful. Following the placid “Scene in the Meadows” comes the sinister “March to the Scaffold,” where the talents of the wind and brass sections of the OF are shown to full effect. The exuberant finale — “Dream of a Witch’s Sabbath” — is all at once grotesque, exhilarating and terrifying. Here, the OF “pulls out all the stops,” bringing the mad frenzy to a rousing conclusion.
This is indeed an exemplary interpretation of a musical landmark — felicitations to Jean-Philippe Tremblay and the OF. Hector would surely have approved!
