Having championed Russian and German repertoire in three 2008 releases to-date, this ever versatile and inventive orchestra under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle now undertakes French works with Berlioz's most famous piece, the Symphonie Fantastique. The orchestra brings this red-hot intensity to Berlioz's passionate work, particularly the searing "Marce au Supplice" movement. The coupling is La Mort de Cléopâtre, a dramatic cantata stormily sung by mezzo Susan Graham. Berlioz evocatively described the work as "sombre, broad, sinister, and lugubrious: a great voice breathing a menacing lament in the mysterious stillness of the night."
01 Symphonie Fantastique Op. 14: I. Rêveries - Passions Sir Simon Rattle/Berliner Philharmoniker 15:40
02 Symphonie Fantastique Op. 14: II. Un Bal Sir Simon Rattle/Berliner Philharmoniker 6:26
03 Symphonie Fantastique Op. 14: III. Scène Aux Champs Sir Simon Rattle/Berliner Philharmoniker 16:09
04 Symphonie Fantastique Op. 14: IV. Marche Au Supplice Sir Simon Rattle/Berliner Philharmoniker 7:11
05 Symphonie Fantastique Op. 14: V. Songe D'une Nuit Du Sabbat Sir Simon Rattle/Berliner Philharmoniker 10:05
06 La Mort De Cléopâtre: Scène Lyrique Sir Simon Rattle/Berliner Philharmoniker/Susan Graham 10:09
07 La Mort De Cléopâtre: Méditation Sir Simon Rattle/Berliner Philharmoniker/Susan Graham 10:19
