[en] The [α + ¹²C]-cluster model basis for ¹⁶O is compared with band systems generated by the infinitesimal operators of the noncompact group Sp(6, R), or more specifically is subgroup Sp(2, R) which generates SU(3) ladders (lambda₀μ₀) (lambda₀ + 2, μ₀) (lambda₀ + 4, μ₀)...based on np-nh states of the largest possible intrinsic deformation, with n = 0,...,5. Although the overlaps between the first symplectic excitations (essentially giant E2 excitations) and the corresponding α-cluster states range from .808 to .872, the higher sympletic excitations differ by more from the α-cluster states of the same (lambdaμ). The α-cluster and symplectic excitations thus give a complementary description of core excitations in ¹⁶O. (auth.)