Acclaimed conductor Klaus Mäkelä, alongside the Orchestre de Paris, delivered an unforgettable performance of Berlioz’s ⁣Symphonie Fantastique during the BBC Proms finale last September. The vibrant energy of that live event is tough to capture in this recording, which was made in Paris a few months later.

The orchestra exhibits remarkable artistry, showcasing their acute sensitivity to Mäkelä’s every cue—echoing their earlier performance at Royal Albert Hall. His interpretation of Berlioz’s masterpiece—from the clear, vibrato-free violins at its outset to the chaotic witches’ dance that concludes it—remains vivid and compelling. Nonetheless,there is a sense of sterility; some raw excitement appears muted in this recording. It may have been overly refined; while certain spatial effects—such as the interplay between cor anglais and distant oboe in the third movement—are exquisitely executed,other sections occasionally feel too prescriptive about what we should focus on.

The Brilliance of Ravel’s La Valse

This orchestral journey is further enhanced by Ravel’s La Valse, which significantly outshines its predecessor; once again, the orchestra dazzles while sustaining an exhilarating dynamism throughout. Mäkelä skillfully maintains a brisk tempo that drives forward momentum; by its end, it feels as if everything is held together purely by centrifugal force.

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