DEVIENNE · POULENC · SAINT-SAËNS · MILHAUD (Sabine Meyer · Oleg Maisenberg) (2007) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

It matters not that the clarinetist Sabine Meyer is German and pianist Oleg Maisenberg is Ukrainian: this recital of clarinet sonatas is still French to the bone marrow. The principal reason for this, naturally, is the repertoire. With works by Saint-Saëns, Poulenc, Devienne, and Milhaud, this recital could hardly be anything but French. But while other non-native players might misplace the accents or misjudge the rhythms, Meyer and Maisenberg are deep into the Gallic groove. Of course, no matter what the language, Meyer is a consummate musician with an immaculate technique and unfailingly good taste, and Maisenberg is a polished accompanist with a strong technique and unhesitatingly generous support. But here they speak French like natives. Their Saint-Saëns is tart, tender, and reserved. Their Poulenc is sweet, soulful, and insouciant. Their Devienne is smart, stunning, and virtuosic. And their encore -- three movements from Milhaud's Scaramouche arranged for clarinet and piano -- is wry, witty, and, in the closing Brazileira, fall-down funny. Captured by producer John Fraser in sound so real you'll swear this is no recording at all, but rather purest aural magic, this disc commends itself to Francophiles of any nationality. James Leonard
Tracklist:
1-4    Camille Saint-Saëns–    Clarinet Sonata Op.167 In E Flat    15:26
5-7    Francis Poulenc–    Clarinet Sonata Op.184    14:03
8-10    François Devienne–    Clarinet Sonata No.1    16:50
11-13    Darius Milhaud–    Scaramouche Arr. For Clarinet And Piano    9:52
Credits :
Clarinet – Sabine Meyer
Piano – Oleg Maisenberg

 

SAINT-SAËNS : Carnaval des animaux · Danse Macabre, etc. (Pascal Rogé · Charles Dutoit · Cristina Ortiz · London Sinfonietta · Philharmonia Orchestra) (1986) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist & Credits :

SAINT-SAËNS : The Piano Concertos (Anna Malikova · WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln · Thomas Sanderling) (2010) 2 x SACD Hybrid | WDR The Cologne Broadcasts Series | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Throughout his lifetime that spanned nearly nine decades, Camille Saint-Saëns turned to the piano concerto five times as a vehicle not only to demonstrate his own considerable prowess on the instrument, but also to advance the concerto form and elaborate on his ideal relationship between soloist and orchestra. Ranging from the first concerto -- a model of youthful impetuousness and bravura -- to the fifth concerto written nearly four decades later -- an exploration of near-exoticism -- Saint-Saëns frequently experimented with new formats that challenged the traditional three-movement concerto. Of the five, the Second Concerto is by far the most frequently performed and ranks among the composer's best-known works overall. The other four works are not without their merits, though, and this Audite album that brings them all together on two hybrid SACDs is a welcome addition. Pianist Anna Malikova is joined by the WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln under Thomas Sanderling in a series of performances that makes all of the concertos just as exciting, dramatic, and intricate as the beloved Second. Malikova's playing is tight, with immaculate articulation, clear voicing, and nimble passagework. She demonstrates a clear connection with the score through her appropriately sentimental performance of slow movements, and her connection with the orchestra is organic and seamless. Audite's sound is especially clear and warm, and listeners utilizing the multichannel track will enjoy a nice sense of being in the midst of the orchestra. Listeners unfamiliar with concertos other than the second will find this set a welcome addition to their collections.  Mike D. Brownell   Tracklist & Credits :

SAINT-SAËNS : Piano Concertos 1-5 (Pascal Rogé · Charles Dutoit) (1995) 2CD | Serie Double Decca | APE (image+.cue), lossless

 Tracklist & Credits :

SAINT-SAËNS : Piano Concertos Nos 2, 4 & 5 (Pascal Roge · Royal Philharmonic Orchestra ∙ Philharmonia Orchestra · Charles Dutoit) (1978-1986) Vinyl, LP | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist & Credits :

SAINT-SAËNS : Piano Concertos 1–5 • "Wedding Cake" Caprice-Valse • "Africa" Fantaisie (Jean-Philippe Collard · Royal Philharmonic Orchestra · André Previn) (1987-2004) RM | 2CD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)
Tracklist 1 :
1-3    Piano Concerto No.1 In D, Op.17    (28:55)
4-6    Piano Concerto No.2 In G Minor, Op.22    (23:40)
7-8    Piano Concerto No.4 In C Minor, Op.44    (26:29)
Tracklist 2 :
1-3    Piano Concerto No.3 In E Flat, Op.29    (30:55)
4-6    Piano Concerto No.5 In F, Op.103    (28:58)
7    'Wedding Cake' - Caprice-Valse, Op.76    6:18
8    'Africa' Fantaisie, Op.89    10:48
Conductor – André Previn
Orchestra – Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Piano – Jean-Philippe Collard

SAINT-SAËNS : Concerto N°2 En Sol Mineur, Op. 22 ♦ C. Franck : Symphonic Variations (Piano Et Orchestre) ♦ LISZT : Concerto No. 1 (Arthur Rubinstein · Symphony Of The Air · Alfred Wallenstein (1958-2007) RM | SACD Hybrid | Serie Living Stereo | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Saint-Saëns. C (1835-1921)
1-3 Concerto N°2 En Sol Mineur, Op.22 (Pour Piano Et Orchestre)

Franck. C (1822-1870)
4-5 Variations Symphoniques (Piano Et Orchestre)

Liszt. F (1811-1886)
6-9 Concerto No. 1 In E-Flat
 
Personnel :
Conductor – Alfred Wallenstein
Orchestra – RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra (tracks: 6-9), Symphony Of The Air (tracks: 1-5)
Piano – Arthur Rubinstein

SAINT-SAËNS : Violin Concerto No. 3 • WIENIAWSKI : Violin Concerto No. 2 (Itzhak Perlman · Orchestre De Paris ∙ Daniel Barenboim) (1983) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)
1-3    Concerto For Violin And Orchestra No.3 In B Minor, Op.61

Henryk Wieniawski (1835-1880)
4-6    Concerto For Violin And Orchestra No.2 In D Minor, Op.22

SAINT-SAËNS : Capriccio –Music for Violin & Orchestra (Jean-Jacques Kantorow · Tapiola Sinfonietta) (2009) APE (tracks+.cue), lossless

 Concerto For Violin And Orchestra No.1 In A Major, Op.20    
1        Allegro    4:11
2        Andante Espressivo    1:44
3        Tempo I    4:45
4        Introduction Et Rondo Capriccioso    8:42
5        Romance In C Major, Op.48    6:12
6        Havanaise In E Major, Op.83    8:25
7        Sarabande Op.93 No. 1    5:43
8        Morceau de Concert In G Major, Op.62    9:2

SAINT-SAËNS : Cello Concerto Op. 33 • Allegro Appassionato Op. 43 • HONEGGER : Cello Concerto • FAURE · d'INDY (Julian Lloyd Webber · English Chamber Orchestra · Yan Pascal Tortelier) (1991) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist:
1    Cello Concerto In A Minor Op. 33: Allegro Non Troppo - Animato - Allegro Molto - Tempo I - Allegretto Con Moto - Tempo I - Un Poco Meno Allegro - Più Allegro (Tempo I) - Molto Allegro 18:49
Camille Saint-Saëns
2    Elégie, Op. 24 For Cello And Orchestra: Molto Adagio 6:59
Gabriel Fauré
3    Lied, Op. 19 For Cello And Orchestra: Andantino Non Troppo 7:39
Vincent d'Indy
4    Cello Concerto: Andante - Allegro Marcato - Lento - Presto 15:53
Arthur Honegger
5    Allegro Appassionato, Op. 43 For Cello And Orchestra 3:23
Camille Saint-Saëns
Credits:
Cello – Julian Lloyd Webber
Conductor – Yan Pascal Tortelier
Orchestra – English Chamber Orchestra

SAINT-SAËNS : L'Œuvre pour violon & orchestre (Ulf Hoelscher · New Philharmonia Orchestra · Pierre Dervaux) 2CD (1993) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)

1-10    Concerto No 1 Pour Violon & Orchestre En La Majeur = In A Major, Op. 20
 2-8    Concerto No 3 Pour Violon & Orchestre En Si Mineur = In B Minor, Op. 61

Cello – Ralph Kirshbaum (tracks: 1-7)
Conductor – Pierre Dervaux
Orchestra – New Philharmonia Orchestra
Violin – Ulf Hoelscher

SAINT-SAËNS : Cello Concerto No. 1 • Piano Concerto No. 2 • Violin Concerto No. 3 (Cecile Licad · Cho-Liang Lin · Yo-Yo Ma) (1990) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Concerto No.1 For Cello And Orchestra Op. 33 In A Minor
Cello – Yo-Yo Ma
Conductor – Lorin Maazel
Orchestra – Orchestre National De France
1    I - Allegro Non Troppo    5:06
2    II - Allegretto Con Moto     5:13
3    III - Tempo I: Allegro Non Troppo     8:32
Concerto No. 2 For Piano And Orchestra In G Minor, Op. 22
Conductor – André Previn
Orchestra – London Philharmonic Orchestra
Piano – Cecile Licad
4    I - Andante Sostenuto    11:23
5    II - Allegro Scherzando    5:18
6    III - Presto    5:57
Concerto No. 3 For Violin And Orchestra In B Minor, Op. 61
Conductor – Michael Tilson Thomas
Orchestra – Philharmonia Orchestra
Violin – Cho-Liang Lin
7    I - Allegro Non Troppo     9:34
8    II - Andantino Quasi Allegretto    8:46
9    III - Molto Moderato E Maestoso    11:24

SAINT-SAËNS : Piano Trios (The Florestan Trio) (2004) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

It hardly matters that Saint-Saëns composed his first piano trio in 1863 and his second nearly three decades later in 1892. Both are brilliantly composed, both are instantly comprehensible, both are filled with memorable melodies, both abound in original touches, and both are clearly cut from the same bolt of colorful but by no means garish Romantic cloth. Although some might object that Saint-Saëns' unsurpassed technical facility caused him to compose music that is more form than content, there are few who could complain of the results when they are as attractive as these trios, especially in these wholly persuasive performances by Britain's Florestan Trio. All three are terrific musicians whose technique is impeccable and whose ensemble is unimpeachable. Clear-eyed but warm-hearted, the Florestan Trio ideally balances heart and mind in Saint-Saëns' music. In the lyrical four-movement F major Trio, the Florestan expresses the work's Romantic melodies within its classical forms. In the dramatic five-movement E minor Trio, the Florestan embraces the work's passionate nature within its controlled structures. Listeners who enjoy the trios of Schumann, Brahms, and Dvorák will surely enjoy the trios of Saint-Saëns, particularly in the deep and detailed sound of these Hyperion recordings. James Leonard  
Tracklist :
Piano Trio No 1 In F Major    (25:30)
Piano Trio No 2 In E Minor    (34:22)
Credits :
Cello – Richard Lester
Composed By – Camille Saint-Saëns
Engineer – Simon Eadon
Painting [Front Picture] – Pierre-Auguste Renoir
Piano [Steinway & Sons] – Susan Tomes
Research [Front Picture Research] – Richard Howard
Violin – Anthony Marwood

CAMILLE SAINT-SAENS : Complete Organ Works (Stefan Johannes Bleicher) 4CD (1995-2002) FLAC (tracks), lossless

CAMILLE SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921)

CD1
1ere Fantasie E flat major
Benediction nuptiale Op.9
Offertoire E major
Elevation ou Communion Op.13
Ou salutaris hostia
Prelude C major
Trois Rhapsodies sur des contiques bretons Op.7
Predication aux oiseaux

CD2
Trois Preludes et Fugues Op.99
Prelude F major
Verset
Verset
Theme, Variations et Choral de Dies irae
2me Fantasie

CD3
Trois Preludes et Fugues Op.109
Sept imrovisations

CD4
Marche Religieuse Op.107
Neuf Pieces pour Orgue ou Harmonium
Prelude C minor
3e Fantasie Op.157
Cypres et Lauriers Op.156

Organ – Stefan Johannes Bleicher

SAINT SAËNS : The Complete Works For Piano And Orchestra (Stephen Hough · City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra · Sakari Oramo) (2002) 2CD | Serie The Romantic Concerto – 27 | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

It is surprising, given the popularity of the repertoire, that all the recordings of Saint-Saëns' complete concertos currently before the public pre-date the CD era and none of them are fully digital. In addition it has never before been possible to obtain all the composer's output for piano and orchestra on only two CDs. For these reasons alone this latest addition to the 'Romantic Piano Concerto' series is likely to become one of the most successful of all. The Gramophone 'Record of the Year' winning team of Stephen Hough and the CBSO are joined by their new principle conductor Sakari Oramo in performances which combine all the elegance required for the Frenchman's music with the utmost bravura. Saint-Saëns himself was a formidable pianist and his rare 1904 (!) 78rpm recording of Africa has until now been matchless; finally in Stephen Hough's performance he has a rival.

With so much in its favour we are quite confident that this new cycle of these piano concertos will become the benchmark recording for many years to come. Hyperion

Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)
                
CD1.
Piano Concerto No 1 in D major Op 17 [26'02]
                
Piano Concerto No 2 in G minor Op 22 [21'43]
                   
Piano Concerto No 3 in E flat major Op 29 [25'48]

CD2.
Piano Concerto No 5 in F major Op 103[27'07]

Rapsodie D'Auvergne For Piano And Orchestra Op 73    8:02

Allegro Appassionato For Piano And Orchestra Op 70    5:00

Africa Fantasie For Piano And Orchestra Op 89    9:43

Credits :
Conductor – Sakari Oramo
Leader – Peter Thomas
Orchestra – City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Piano – Stephen Hough

MISCHA ELMAN - The Best of Mischa Elman (2006) 2CD / APE (image+.cue), lossless

 

The Romantic Piano Concerto • 27 - Saint-Saëns : The Complete works for piano & orchestra (2001) 2CD / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 

This two-disc set of the complete works for piano and orchestra is a splendid introduction to a significant aspect of the composer's oeuvre. Including the five piano concertos, the set enables the listener to trace the composer's development in this genre, from the quintessentially Romantic Concerto No. 1 through the many intriguing idiosyncrasies and structural metamorphoses of the subsequent concertos, to the seductively atmospheric Concerto No. 5 ("Egyptian") and admirable synthesis of exuberant energy, uninhibited expressiveness, elegantly stylized exoticism, and effervescent virtuosity. With his faultless technique, artistic sophistication, and graceful yet powerful pianism, soloist Stephen Hough is the perfect interpreter of these concertos, masterfully following the composer's trajectory from the relatively unproblematic Romanticism of the earlier concertos to the subjectivity and refined esotericism of the later works. In addition to purely technical challenges, which reflect the composer's stupendous mastery of the keyboard, Saint-Saëns' concertos require extraordinary attention to subtle shifts of color and tonal quality. In other words, if "brilliance" is a fundamental quality of this music, it is up to the pianist to differentiate between the numerous shades of brilliance in accordance with the composer's quicksilver imagination and swift flow of ideas. And Hough finds superb accompaniment in the precise and richly expressive playing of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Sakari Oramo. The set also includes four shorter works: the delicately charming Wedding Cake Valse-Caprice, Op. 76, the nostalgic and thoughtful Rapsodie d'Auvergne, the brilliantly lyrical Allegro appassionato, and the opulently exotic fantasy Africa. In this vast, luminous, vibrant panorama of the great French composer's oeuvre for piano and orchestra, listeners will find exceptional guides in Stephen Hough and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. by Zoran Minderovic