Customer Reviews

Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3; The Carnival of the Animals

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is an excellent one disc introduction to Camille Saint-Saens. The performances are brisk. The choice of pieces excellent. The Bacchanale from Samson and Delilah is light yet intense. The Third Symphony is brilliant with its organ explosions. The Aquarium and the Swan are bright as well, if not definitive. Also an excellent introduction to French Romanticism.

(And do please ignore the disappointed reviewer who doesn't seem to understand what reviews are for.)

Sometime ago, I responded to the sole other review of this rerelease. I realize many seldom check the responses, only the original review. So, I feel I must offer my enthusiastic recommendation of Fremaux superb performance of the great Saint-Saens organ symphony. This is a vibrant, beautifully played, thoroughly French approach which no less an authority than Gramophone magazine considers one of the best recordings of this seminal work of this greatly gifted but occassionally superfluous composer (his piano concerti, for example, are extraordinarily variable.) No such qualifications, however, for the 3rd symphony. Fremaux, who preceded Simon Rattle at Bournemouth, exercises complete control over this very good British band which was, for years, obliged to languish in the shadow of the plethora of more celebrated London orchestras. In any case, this is simply a grand performance. The "Carnival" is, unfortunately, not in the same class, despite the presence of the great pianist John Ogdon and his long time collaborator Brenda Lucas. It's quite serviceable, but lacking that extra something - humor, excitement, gossamer silkiness - that more or less defines this deservedly popular composition. By the way, if you can find it, this disc is coupled as a twofer on a deleted Seraphim release with the great Rudolf Kempe's two Berlioz recordings - "Symphonie Fantastique" and "The Roman Carnival Overture"

Perhaps I misunderstood what this CD was going to be. I purchased it for my six-month-old daughter to listen to in addition to some Baby Einstein classical music CDs that she already has. However, it's not really "baby friendly" music. It is very much a collection that would appeal to adults who like classical music. The music on the Baby Einstein CDs is much more designed to interest children. There's nothing bad about this CD, it's just not good for the reason that I bought it.