BERLIOZ – Symphonie Fantastique (Ataúlfo Argenta)

Louis-Hector Berlioz (1803–1869) was a French Romantic composer and conductor. His output includes orchestral works such as the Symphonie fantastique and Harold in Italy, choral pieces including the Requiem and L’Enfance du Christ, his three operas Benvenuto Cellini, Les Troyens and Béatrice et Bénédict, and works of hybrid genres such as the “dramatic symphony” Roméo et Juliette and the “dramatic legend” La Damnation de Faust.

Ataúlfo Exuperio Martín de Argenta Maza (1913–1958) was a Spanish conductor and pianist. His death at the age of forty-three is all the more tragic because it resulted from an unnecessary and stupid accident. Colorful and inventive stories have been told about the circumstances of his death in January 1958, but the truth is unfortunately very simple. One evening during a harsh winter in northern Spain, Argenta and a student decided to study in the composer’s study, which was detached from the main part of the house and located above the garage. Since the room was cold, Argenta suggested that until it warmed up, he and his companion should sit in his car. In the closed garage, with the car’s engine running, neither of them was aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. The student lost consciousness but was revived, while Argenta died.

These stark facts are all the more poignant because Argenta was then destined for greater achievements in his career. Just weeks before his death, he confided to a journalist his plans for the future and added that, since conductors generally reach a reasonable age, he had plenty of time to achieve his ambitions. In reality, his career lasted barely a dozen years.

Argenta’s links with France and its music are particularly close. Parisian orchestras gave him his first significant opportunities to perform outside of Spain, and he remained loyal to them throughout his short career. He was deeply moved by French music, so much so that French composers often appeared on the programs of his concerts. Given this deep affinity, it is less surprising than it may seem that DECCA asked a Spanish conductor to record a French work, Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique.

Argenta had a natural and unparalleled intuition for Spanish music. However, he preferred not to be considered a specialist and developed a vast repertoire including composers as diverse as Purcell, Prokofiev, Mahler, Stravinsky, or Berg. He made his first recordings in the late forties. His discography, very full for such a short career, is dominated by a series of about fifty zarzuelas. In Spain, his popularity was more akin to that of a popular star than that of a conductor. His death was felt as a national disaster. At his funeral, a silent crowd lined the sidewalks as the procession passed slowly by. An imposing statue of Argenta now dominates Castro-Urdiales, the conductor’s birthplace.

Hector Berlioz (1803-1869) Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14, H48

1. [00:00] I. Rêveries, Passions: Largo, Allegro agitato e appassionato assai, Religiosamente

2. [12:47] II. Un Bal: Valse. Allegro non troppo

3. [19:11] III. Scène aux Champs: Adagio

4. [34:41] IV. Marche au Supplice: Allegretto non troppo

5. [41:09] V. Songe d’une nuit de Sabbat: Larghetto, Allegro