The Best of Saint-Saëns

Camille Saint-Saens (Composer), Neeme Jarvi (Conductor), Bernard Haitink (Conductor), Edo de Waart (Conductor), Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (Orchestra), Henryk Szeryng (Performer), Michele Campanella (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Henryk Szeryng, Michele Campanella
• Orchestra: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
• Conductor: Neeme Jarvi, Bernard Haitink, Edo de Waart
• Composer: Camille Saint-Saens
• Audio CD (October 11, 1994)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Philips
• ASIN: B0000041AP
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,313 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #35 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music > Tone Poems
  • #37 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Symphonies > Romantic
  • #67 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Romantic (c.1820-1910) > Forms & Genres

Editorial Reviews

Audio Cd

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a must have CD, April 13, 2007

By 

Maestro "a music lover" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Best of Saint-Saëns (Audio CD)

I must admit that the Penguin Guide was overly critical of this CD. They said the recording of the Organ Symphony was not exciting and they are certainly far from being correct. The standard by which I judge the Symphony is mainly (if not almost) purely based on the finale. Out of the recordings I have heard this is the finest account. I found the Ormandy version a bit too fast forsaking the majestic feel. The Levine version is well played, but there just seems to be some issue with balance and heaven forbid the Berlin Philharmonic percussionists making a mistake near the end (they played 2 bars late). Dutoit's account is fairly similar to this recording, but I find Edo de Waart's recording has a more 'natural' and richer sound. There is something magical in the finale, the organ is brilliantly captured throughout. Polished, balanced, finely controlled tempi and well-executed this is the best version of the Organ Symphony. If you're starting a Saint-Saens' collection, this 2CD set will certainly not disappoint. The accounts of the other pieces are first-rate.

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Collection, November 4, 2000

By 

P S DEVADATTA (Wellington New Zealand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Best of Saint-Saëns (Audio CD)

This was my first Saint-Saëns CD, and I did not quite know what to expect. It was love at first hear(?!). An excellent collection, ranging from the humorous "Carnival of the Animals" to the serious Organ Symphony. If you are not familiar with Saint-Saëns, I would strongly recommend this collection as a great introduction.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Recording, October 2, 2003

By 

"jayzx22" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Best of Saint-Saëns (Audio CD)

As an orchestral player (violinist, violist) and student conductor who is currently in a performance cycle of Symphony No. 3 "Organ", I think that this is one of the best recordings I have heard of the symphony. I recommend it to anyone who is looking for great balances and a full sound of an orchestra!