Stunning New Album by Mäkelä and Paris Orchestra: A Fresh Take on Berlioz and Ravel!

Last September, Klaus Mäkelä led the Orchestre de Paris in a memorable rendition of Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique at the BBC Proms. Although the performance created a buzz, the same vibrancy wasn’t entirely captured in a later recording session in Paris.

The orchestra showcased exceptional talent, evidently in tune with their conductor’s guidance as seen previously at Royal Albert Hall. Mäkelä’s interpretation of Berlioz’s composition, from the delicate, vibrato-free violins in the opening to the dynamic witches’ dance at the end, was vivid and impactful. However, the recording felt somewhat sterile; the thrilling, spontaneous excitement of live performance was absent. This may have been due to over-processing: the audio seemed overly refined, and while the spatial effects in the third movement’s cor anglais and distant oboe duet were striking, at times it felt too directed.

The album also includes Ravel’s La Valse, which was more successful in capturing the orchestra’s dynamic energy. Here, the performance sparkled continuously. Mäkelä maintained a fast pace and escalating momentum, culminating in a performance that seemed to be driven by sheer centrifugal force.

Available for listening on Apple Music or Spotify.