Gounod: Faust (Complete opera)

'Let me say at the outset that this is the most satisfying performance of Gounod's favourite opera yet to appear in the LP/CD era. Davis has generated just the sense of a live and lively performance seldom found on the rival recordings. He obviously cherishes the work, lavishes immense care on Gounod's felicitous scoring (prompt and light in Walpurgis Night, for instance, then 'fantastic') and persuades his Bavarian forces to lift the rhythms in a really Beecham-esque manner... Sir Colin far surpasses all his rivals in understanding the considerable merits of this much-maligned score, elevating it by his understanding and conviction to Berliozian heights, I was consistently held by the performance. It also has one of Philips's most natural, forward and well-balanced recordings-voices in perfect alignment with the orchestra.' Gramophone