John Smyth's salivation in anticipation of the Munch Berlioz Requiem on
RCA SACD prompts me to recollect that I borrowed the LPs from the library
many years ago while on holiday.  They were not in the first flush of
youth, the only equipment available to me was a small tabletop player
and I had never heard the Requiem before.  Despite these inadequacies,
I was overwhelmed; the little player survived the experience too, although
it was neurotic ever after.  I've heard a number of other versions and
have lived with the Colin Davis version on Philips for years, but the
Munch is very, very special.  I have the feeling the filler (!) for the
CD reissue, apparently nla, was a knockout Symphonie Fantastique - I
hope John gets the same coupling on his SACD.

Richard Pennycuick