Saint-Saëns: Piano Concertos 1-5; Wedding Cake Caprice-Valse

Saint-Saëns: Piano Concertos 1-5; Wedding Cake Caprice-Valse

Saint-Saëns: Piano Concertos 1-5; Wedding Cake Caprice-Valse

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CD Details

Composer: Camille Saint-Saens
Conductor: André Previn
Orchestra: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Performer: Jean-Philippe Collard
Edition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2005-02-15
Music Label: EMI Classics
Soundtracks:

Music CD 1

I. Andante - Allegro Assai
II. Andante Sostenuto Quasi Adagio
III. Allegro Con Fucco
I. Andante Sostenuto
II. Allegro Scherzando
III. Presto
I. Allegro Moderato - Andante
II. Allegro Vivace - Andante - Allegro

Music CD 2

I. Moderato Assai - Piu Mosso (Allegro Maestoso)
II. Andante
III. Allegro Non Troppo
I. Allegro Animato
II. Andante - Allegretto Tranquillo Quasi Andantino
III. Molto Allegro
Wedding Cake - Caprice-Valse Op.76
Africa Fantaisie Op.89

Music reviews of Saint-Saëns: Piano Concertos 1-5; Wedding Cake Caprice-Valse

Music Review: Buy it for all the five concerti, just don't expect much from the second concerto
Rating: 3 Stars

There are two albums of Saint-Saens' complete piano concerti available in the Amazon catalogue. This from EMI classics, and one from Decca. With two extra tracks thrown in (the "Wedding Cake" waltz, Opus 76, and "Africa Fantaisie," opus 89), this is the better bargain. Plus it's cheaper. I highly recommend it for these reasons, especially if your only interest is familiarization with all of Saint-Saens' five piano concertos, as was mine. Whether the Charles Dutoit performance is better, I can't say as I don't own it.

As for the performances in this disc:

My interest in Saint-Saens' piano concertos was fired up when I first heard his 2nd Piano Concerto performed by Cecile Licad. That stupendous performance (yes, I considered that adjective very carefully and find it absolutely appropriate) was also conducted by Andre Previn and accompanied by the London Philharmonic Orchestra (another Brit orchestra). That recording is also available in Amazon catalogue. Do buy it if you are a connoisseur of Saint Saens' second piano concerto. It is a definitive performance, one that am sure even Saint-Saens would approve of VERY enthusiastically. Just listen to the cadenza of the first movement in the Music Sampler and hear for yourselves.

Now back to this album. As noted earlier, it is also conducted by Andre Previn. But what a difference a pianist makes. I refer here to the performance of the second piano concerto. I skip it, actually. Having been spoiled--blissfully, ecstatically--by the Licad stunner, I cannot bear the stultifying interpretation in this one. I just listen to the other piano concertos and enjoy them. These piano concertos are excitingly atmospheric, with the composer's unmistakable mix of boister and mystery. As noted from an Amazon review of the Decca album, a recording of all of Saint Saent's five piano concerti is rare enough. So for that reason and the cheap price, this album is a good buy. I just try not wonder how other pianists, like Licad for instance, would play them. I just enjoy Saint Saent's piano music, The other performances are still very enjoyable, excluding other considerations. After I received this album from my sister as her Amazon gift, I now know that Saint Saen's piano concertos really rock!!! They are for me.

For the price and the extra tracks I'd give this album four stars. But for its dismal second piano concerto (cringe, cringe), three stars.

More Saint-Saëns: Piano Concertos 1-5; Wedding Cake Caprice-Valse free music reviews:
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