Search - Camille Saint-Saens, Charles Dutoit, Montréal Symphony Orchestra :: Saint-Saens: Symphony No. 3; Carnaval des animaux

An essential interpretation for lovers of this symphony . .

08/08/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"On the whole, Dutoit's is a more satisfying performance than Levine's-- In Dutoit's hands, the slow movement,especially, is overpowering, like a gentle, cool wave of fresh water washing over the body, only this music reels in the spirit as well. Levine's charged approach in the outer movements works well-- the Berlin gets to unleash their brass to full effect-- but the slow movement lacks the magic present in the Dutoit. Dutoit's is a very French performance-- sparkling, smooth as silk, Romantic . . . And what attention to detail--what a glorious acoustic! I reveled in the cymbal crashes and piano flourishes, captured here with great clarity. The "Carnival of the Animals" is played with great charm, but there are better accounts, especially the Previn/ Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (Philips)."

Save your money and get the Levine / Preston recording

02/23/2004

(2 out of 5 stars)

"This is truly the worst recordings I've ever heard of the Saint-Saens 3rd symphony. It sounds like the orchestra and organ parts were recorded during different studio sessions and matched in post processing. The organ part was clearly recorded on a instrument of German influence and is all wrong for this French Romantic era symphony. Also its obvious that the organ part was boosted during post processing because there's no way that the registrations the organist is using in the recording would carry over a full orchestra in real life.The Carnival of the animals is ok. Although at times the piano drowns out the other insturments. Again, bad post-processing.

I wonder how the people who produced this recording are able to sleep at night."

Grandeur

04/13/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Saint-Saens' Symphony #3, especially the first four movements (op. 78), truly resounds the grandeur of France. The fourth piece, Sym No.3 in c, 'Organ' Op.78: Maestoso-Allegro, was played during London's grandest World's Exposition in 1900, complete with cathedral pipe organ and full grand paino. This was written at a time when Europe had not yet lost its wondrous magic to existentialism and the industrial machine. Its a beautiful composition that holds in it the glory and genius of the Fin de Siecle spirit. This recording on the London label is the best I've yet to hear, and its tenor recalls the age of giants- of Hugo, Napoleon, and Europe's great flowering World's Expostitions. So refreshing to hear in our troubling modern time. Ecoutez soigneusement, pour c'est le grandeur!"