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I both agree and disagree here.

I actually love this performance - for all the wrong reasons. I wasn't sure when I heard the BR Klassik disc if this was the same performance as one that appeared years ago on an American label, Sounds Supreme, but I think it is (that is dated wrong). That sounds so raw, so much more immediate - and has such impact - it is nothing like the BR Klassik transfer. But as Ralph points out it's not exactly very French which in part makes the performance exactly what is so thrilling about it - and I don't find Davis hangs fire in the way Ralph does, especially in the Witch's Sabbath.

The problem I have is with the transfer, not what Davis does with Berlioz.

As to Ralph's point about the March to the Scaffold being three minutes longer than usual and this being "inexplicable".... well, Davis takes the repeat. He always did this in S.F. Whether it's musically right is debatable; but it's there nevertheless.

As to the BRSO - Davis clearly loved their sound, especially the strings. It may also be entirely wrong but I love his BRSO Elgar symphonies and Sibelius.