Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique and Lelio, or the Return to Life

By Herbert Kupferberg

Boulez with London Symphony aided by Jean-Louis Barrault and vocal soloists; CBS 32-B1-0010: two records). Berlioz’s opinion to the contrary, Lélio is a hodgepodge of a work that adds next to nothing to the Symphonie Fantastique. It’s Boulez’s graphic, dramatic performance of the Fantastique that makes this album worth hearing.