Saint-Saëns: Piano Trios Nos. 1 & 2

Camille Saint-Saens (Composer), Joachim Trio (Performer), John Lenehan (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Joachim Trio, John Lenehan
• Composer: Camille Saint-Saens
• Audio CD (May 23, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Naxos
• ASIN: B00000140Q
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #121,767 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Two of Saint-Säens's best works, September 8, 2002

By 

"mythologue" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Saint-Saëns: Piano Trios Nos. 1 & 2 (Audio CD)

Saint-Saëns's two piano trios both rank among his best works. The four-movement first is more playful, with many syncopated rhythms and intricate melodies; the five-movement second, published close to thirty years later, is even better. Saint-Saëns delayed its completion for a while, and one can understand why when listening to it - it's obvious that a lot of work went into its composition. Although written for only three instruments, it rivals in power and majesty some of his most interesting large-scale pieces. Each movement is excellent enough when isolated from the others, but the cumulative effect of the whole is what makes this a masterwork. The piano writing is brilliant throughout, and this recording has a perfect sound balance, which is especially important in chamber works. The Naxos price is inviting, but it doesn't even matter: this music is priceless.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TWO SAINT-SAENS TRIOS TOO GOOD TO PASS UP, July 6, 2000

By 

Melvyn M. Sobel "Melvyn M. Sobel" (Freeport, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Saint-Saëns: Piano Trios Nos. 1 & 2 (Audio CD)

Separated by a thirty year stretch, the two Saint-Saens piano trios, coupled here together by Naxos for the first time on CD (to my knowledge), are beautiful, enduring, melodic works in the tradition of Schumann and Mendelssohn. It's incomprehensively mystifying to me that these trios have never entered "the standard repertoire." They certainly should have before this. Well, so it goes. Better late than never. Lucky us!

The Op. 18, written in 1863, is an immediately and thoroughly attractive work, every movement memorable. Particularly haunting is the lyrical Andante. The Op. 92, written in 1892, is every bit as moving and irresistable as its younger sister--- but, perhaps, a touch wiser and more ruminative; yet, again, each movement is a gem (and Camille, that sly French devil, has given us five, rather than the usual four, to treasure). As with the Op. 18, special mention should be made of the enchanting Andante.

The Joachim Trio, playing splendidly, receive a fine realistic and warm sound.

[Running time: 65:28]

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars good version, September 28, 2005

By 

G. Metcalf (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Saint-Saëns: Piano Trios Nos. 1 & 2 (Audio CD)

These two trios are well played on this disc. As usual with Saint-Saens the music is unfailingly tunefull and pleasant. The writing for the piano is particularly good -- perhaps because the composer was a pianist of some renown. I thought the sound quality was good but occasionally somewhat distant or veiled but certainly acceptable. Of course the naxos price is just right.