Saint-Saëns: Piano Concertos 1-5

Camille Saint-Saens (Composer), Charles Dutoit (Conductor), London Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Philharmonia Orchestra of London (Orchestra), Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Pascal Rogé (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Pascal Rogé
• Orchestra: London Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra of London, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Charles Dutoit
• Composer: Camille Saint-Saens
• Audio CD (May 16, 1995)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B00000425S
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,137 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #4 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Romantic (c.1820-1910) > General
  • #4 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Romantic (c.1820-1910) > General AAS
  • #22 in Music > Classical > Instruments > Keyboard > Piano

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Trust us, March 1, 2003

By 

Niall (Dublin, Ireland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Saint-Saëns: Piano Concertos 1-5 (Audio CD)

Looking at the other reviews here, I can only nod in complete agreement. Saint-Saëns is an underrated composer and these 5 concertos are joyful, seductive and deserving of a lot more attention than they have received. Saint-Saëns, like Mendelssohn, had the ability to instantly inspire happiness in the listener, this listener anyhow. Yes, the 2nd and 4th occasionally do get an airing, but the "Eqyptian" (the 5th) is every bit their equal and the remaining two concertos certainly have their own merits. The five deserve a double disc outing like this.

The performances here are very, very fine indeed. I have not heard the Collard/Previn versions (which are referred to in another review), although I have several versions of the 2nd and 4th. Charles Dutoit and Pascal Roge do a wonderful job, investing these performances with the affection and conviction they deserve. True, there is more of the virtuoso than the philosopher about Roge's playing, but that is entirely appropriate to Saint-Saëns. This is feel-good music (and music-making) of the very highest callibre.

Returning to these discs is always a pleasure for me and I hope will be for you. If you have even a passing interest in late Romantic piano concertos treat yourself to these.

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Listen to Collard and Previn also, December 5, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Saint-Saëns: Piano Concertos 1-5 (Audio CD)

I put the Roge/Dutoit up against the Collard/Previn/RPO with headphones and preferred the latter. Both sets are very nice, but the Collard has more depth, character and detail especially with headphones. The Collard is lighter and more elegant with the delicate passages sounding more delicate, while the Roge is louder and more forceful. The piano seems cleaner and more up front with the digital recording of Collard as compared to the analog recording of Roge.

41 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sparkling, and no reservations!, December 24, 1999

By 

Michael Newberry (Santa Monica) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Saint-Saëns: Piano Concertos 1-5 (Audio CD)

If lovely melodies, crystal-clear sound, wonderful pacing do not interest you...then, do not buy these CDs, otherwise, go for it. Charles Dutoit does it again, he brings freshness, intelligence, drive, and, above all, incredible sound to this music. This is my first listening experience with Pascal Roge, he plays with deftness, charm, and, I think, with an appropreiate amount of romanticism. I had not heard four of the Concertos, and it is exciting to discover something new and unexpected.

One of my favorite recordings!