Saint-Saens: Symphony No. 3 "Organ"; Carnival of the Animals; Dance Macabre, etc.

Camille Saint-Saens (Composer), Eugene Ormandy (Conductor), Philadelphia Orchestra (Orchestra), E. Power Biggs - organ (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: E. Power Biggs - organ
• Orchestra: Philadelphia Orchestra
• Conductor: Eugene Ormandy
• Composer: Camille Saint-Saens
• Audio CD (January 3, 1992)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000027OJ
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #279,481 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Saint-Saëns dedicated this Third Symphony to Liszt, the great pianist, and so he decided to include prominent keyboard parts in the work. Not only does it use an organ in the second and fourth movements, but there's also a prominent part for piano, sometimes for two players. Eugene Ormandy's is one of the four really great recordings of the work--both interpretively and sonically. It's also combined with spectacular performances of the sexy "Bacchanale" from Samson and Dalilah as well as the famous "Danse Macabre." With the chamber version of Carnaval thrown it, this is a fantastic bargain at budget price. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars At this Price you may as well Take My Word For it...., January 23, 2000

By 

S. Antonio Arch (Toronto & Grand Cayman) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Saint-Saens: Symphony No. 3 "Organ"; Carnival of the Animals; Dance Macabre, etc. (Audio CD)

Time and time again I have heard music lovers complain that technology does little justice to the art and science of recording great music; that it was done better in the old days when all we had was vinyl and that at least vinyl recorded the warmth and heart along with the performance. Finally, from listening to this recording, I understand what people mean by all of this!

I have heard coutless other recordings of this piece of music. I have heard the legend of Charles Dutoit trekking the entire Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal to a church in Ste. Eustache so as to enjoy its near-perfect acoustics and legendary organ. The recording that these sessions yeilded was carried out with the latest in contemporary recording equipment. It does not hold a candle to this recording by the Philadelphia Orchestra. I have heard it described as "banged up" and "scratchy" but I can only describe it as "warm" as if eavesdropping on the rehearsal from just beyond a wooden door. The Analog-to-Digital re-mastering is, in my humble opinion, wonderful, magical and I am all the more thankful that the great E. Power Biggs is a part of the effort.

If you decide to own a copy of this symphony, there are countless interpretations, but this is the one to own, and at this price you just can't go wrong. This is the only version that I listen to...the only version that I will listen to.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Hear to Believe!!!, March 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Saint-Saens: Symphony No. 3 "Organ"; Carnival of the Animals; Dance Macabre, etc. (Audio CD)

Saint-Saens is without a doubt my favorite composer. He has been since I was eight, I could rave on and on for hours about how wonderful his works are!! It is interesting; he was accused of being stuffy and too conservative and conventional, but in fact he had a great sense of humor and it is exactly his staying with his style of music that makes him so different. This interpretation of the music, especially the Organ symphony, has a haunting and very expressive tone. Some movements sound so full and powerful and gigantic; others are so sweeping and deep that it will move you to tears. And at first I did not like the Bacchanale, but it has grown to be one of my favorite overall works of him. Also Danse Macabre is wonderfull, and the Carnival of the Animals shows the same diversity that the Organ symphony had but with more humorous touches. The Marche Militare is great for any fan of marches, not necessarily Sousa marches. I am least satisfied in interpretation with the Carnival of the Animals; I believe I have heard better, but it may be only a matter of taste. Whether you are just starting in classical music or are an avid fan, this is a great disc to add to your collection.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good but not great Organ Symphony, December 16, 2002

By 

Timpanist (Winnipeg) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Saint-Saens: Symphony No. 3 "Organ"; Carnival of the Animals; Dance Macabre, etc. (Audio CD)

Although this interpretation of the Organ Symphony delivers for the most part - delicate when needed, intense to contrast - I find that the tempo in the finale is much too quick, and races through what should be so much more grandiose. Also, the poor recording of the timpani (sounds at times like it was in another room) is especially disappointing as the last few bars sail by. A good disc for its coverage of Saint-Saens' repertoire, but the end of the Organ Symphony leaves one disappointed.