Review by: David Hurwitz If you feel that Franck’s symphony is a decadent, heart-on-sleeve, at times tasteless relic of post-Wagnerian romanticism, then this isn’t the performance for you. It has none of the much-vaunted slowness that characterized a good deal of “late Bernstein”, but it is affectionate and indulgent, particularly in matters of tempo, to a degree that may raise a few eyebrows. Especially in the first movement Bernstein underlines the various appearances of the motto theme with a heavy hand. The coda barely manages to grind its way to the final bars, and the result will either strike you as thrillingly passionate and involving, or simply mannered (and maybe both, depending in your mood). However, as with his contemporaneous and even more controversial account of Elgar’s Enigma Variations, Bernstein is never dull. He has the players matching him in intensity from first note to last, and there’s no denying that the approach suits the style of the music. It must have been amazing in concert. The performance of Le Rouet d’Omphale also is perfectly idiomatic, delectable even, with succulent woodwind textures and a totally apt, balletic grace. Moving from the Franck to the Saint-Saëns is something of a shock, and a tribute to the conductor’s versatility. The live sonics are decent enough, but a bit opaque in the more fully scored passages of the symphony. Still, it’s good to have this bit of classic late-Bernstein back in circulation “on demand” from Arkivmusic.com.