Search - Saint-Saens, Bernstein, Nyp :: Symphony 3 " Organ " / Piano Concerto 4

Powerful

J. Buxton | Waltham, MA United States | 07/08/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It is a pity this disc is currently out of print...my hope is that it will be reissued as part of the Bernstein Century series, with perhaps improved sonics. I have compared this version of the "Organ" Symphony of Saint Saens to other versions, most notably Munch with the Boston Symphony (RCA) and Paray with the Detroit Symphony (Mercury), and this recording stands up very well against these competitors. I was impressed by the orchestral detail in the opening Allegro Moderato, and particularly moved by the second movement's romantic climax. Similarly, the third and final movements bring exciting moments, and the organ entrances are full and brilliant. I like the way Bernstein and the NYPO are able to capture the nobility and grandeur of the piece without sacrificing the wonderful subtleties also present in this symphony. Fortunately Bernstein avoids some of the "over the top" excesses which he succombed to on some other recordings, and although the sound is not as good as some digital versions now available it has been improved significantly from the original LP. The Rondo piece also included is a delightful bonus, especially since this was not included when the symphony was first released on cd."

Superb Saint-Saens

Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 01/13/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Most people are probably introduced to Camille Saint-Saens via "Carnival of the Animals," a work that the composer did not allow to be published during his lifetime. The piece's inclusion in Disney's Fantasia 2000 will most likely give a new generation the impression that Saint-Saens is a composer disposed to light-hearted whimsy. In fact, Saint-Saens was a serious composer who has left us with at least four compositions that should be in every intermediate classical collection -- Symphony No. 3, Piano Concertos Nos. 2 & 4, and Cello Concerto No. 1. And with the advent of the CD, there are several discs that combine many of these four works -- most notably the Sony Essential Classics title that combines the latter three compositions mentioned above, and this Bernstein Royal Edition which couples the 3rd, or "Organ," Symphony and the 4th Piano Concerto. When it comes to the "Organ" Symphony, an entire generation of classical listeners was raised on Charles Munch's recording on RCA Living Stereo, and that performance is deserving of the high praise it receives. But this Bernstein performance is every bit as powerful as Munch's, and for those of you who already have other performances of the 2nd Piano and 1st Cello Concertos as I do (Rubinstein and Fournier respectively), the inclusion of the 4th Piano Concerto and "Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso," with the legendary Zino Francescatti on violin, are most welcome. In any event, keep an eye open for this excellent disc."

Worthy to buy in what fourth pianoc oncerto concerns!

Hiram Gomez Pardo | Valencia, Venezuela | 07/15/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"
Through the times, the mysterious charm of Saint Saens' Fourth Piano Concerto, despite all the well known disdain for the works produced by most of the French composers in the second half of the XIX Century ( Edward Lalo, Jules Massenet, Emanuelle Chabrier and Gabriel Pierne among the most representative ones) and his evident lack of intention, just cheered of visible frivolity in most of cases; finds a solid exception to the rule in two composers Saint Saens and Gabriel Faure.



I am not totally convinced if this work must be considered as a Concert; I have always thought about it as Theme with Variations a la Cesar Frank and von Dohnayi's Variations on a nursery song for instance. It `s hovered for a visible lullaby vision, it's a lively page with major pretensions, musically not so rich and developed in ideas as the Second Concerto, but it allows you to solace yourself inside rational lyricism if I may.



There are four memorable performances about this Concerto; this overwhelming recording with Casadesus in top form, Alfred Cortot, Jeanne-Marie Darre and finally Gabriel Tachino.



But this version is the most remarkable of them.



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