What a wonderful thread! We've had long discourses on books and films...but I don't recall one like this on Classical music.
Now, someone, PLEASE give me the Title and Artist of a CD where I can hear "Symphonie Fantastique"!!
raineypark, i am recommending to you the recording by leonard bernstein with the new york philarmonic. while not the "definitive" recording, i think you will enjoy LB's conducting. plus, i happen to know there is a huge bassoon part in one movement and the NY Phil has some fantastic bassoonists!
the other reason i'm recommending this recording is that LB explains the whole piece on track six. it's called, "berlioz takes a trip." (an opium trip that is. lol!!!!)
on amazon, i found it for $11.98. i might just get it for myself lol!
(now for more modern recordings there is colin davis. but i would not get the set with the complete orchestral works with jose carreras. i don't care for him. i still haven't forgiven him for his performance on west side story with bernstein conducting. also, a recording on deutche gramaphone will be of top sound quality.)