Search - Paul Dukas, Camille Saint-Saens, Arthur Fiedler :: RCA Victor Basic 100, Vol. 42- Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3- Organ / Dukas: Sorcerer's Apprentice

Best recording for your money!

R. J. Thayer | Schenectady, NY USA | 10/13/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"RCA Victor presents Saint-Saëns Symphony No. 3, Danse Macabre, and Bacchanale from Samson and Delilha, as well as the infamous Dukas hit "The Sorcerer's Apprentice".Symphony No. 3 is quite the musical roller coaster, taking you from sweeping action pieces to tranquil serenity, topped with a powerful punching finale. The suite is, in my opinion, one of the most overlooked orchestral masterpieces.Dukas' "Sorcerer" is a familiar tune for anyone who has seen Fantasia. The piece is very fitting to be in this collection of recordings.Saint-Saëns Danse Macabre stirs images of the dead rising from their graves and partying the night away... well partying like it's 1845 anyway. Granted the piece was done in the early 20th century, but it has a firm Victorian flair.The final piece from Samson and Delilah has an appropriate Egyptian air and is a great example of how the composer could create mood.All the pieces by Saint-Saëns on this excellent collection can spark imagination and inspire the creative. I have owned this CD for quite a while and find it still to be superior to any other recording of the same pieces I have purchased. Saint-Saëns is by far my favorite composer, but that does not influence my opinion that Ormandy, Virgil Fox, and Arthur Fiedler have made this piece not only breathe but sing.Trivia: Saint-Saëns Symphony No. 3 Movement 4 was the foundation for the soundtrack of "Babe"(Universal Pictures)"