Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique tells the story of a poet's opium-induced dream, in which he sees visions of the object of his unrequited love, who in the music is described by an idée fixe or recurring musical theme. From a ball, to a scene in the country, to the poet's death on the scaffold and finally a wild witches' sabbath, this descriptive music is vivid in its depictions.
This recording is conducted by Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor Esa-Pekka Salonen.
- I. Rêveries – Passions
- II. Un bal
- III. Scène aux champs
- IV. Marche au supplice
- V. Songe d'une nuit de sabbat
