Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Glittering, glamorous, exciting, October 2, 2007
The dapper Thibaudet doesn't swim in deep waters, but when presented with glittering pieces that suit his own sophistication (he's the only pianist who comes onstage in coutrue), the results can be delightful. So it proves here. The two Saint-Saens concertos are exemplars of Gallic charm and sparkling technique layered with urbane seriousness. Like champagne, these works can't be allowed to go flat. Thibaudet and Dutoit make sure they never do, ot for a moment. It was smart to begin the program with Concerto #5, since its hurtlig virtuoso fingerwork show the soloist off at his best -- Thibaudet really does have technique to burn -- and the composer's flirtatins with "Egyptian" themes is amusing. This is Cairo as observed from a cafe table a Paris.
I've never been eprsuaded to take Frank's Symphonic Var. seriously: what's the point of faux Beethoven coming from a French composer? Thibaudet and Dutoit remain alert and lively, which helps. The program ends with Saint-Saens' Concerto #2, the most thoughtful work and rightfully considered the best of his five concertos. As with the earlier works, Thibaudet goes for flash, which seems to me to be the happiest course of action. In all, I enjoyed this CD more than any other I've heard from him.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Filled With Emotion, Charisma And Prodigious Musicianship!, December 16, 2007
As conveyed in Thibaudet's CD "Opera Without Words" he has an innate compassion for the human voice and the various qualities it can produce. As a result Thibaudet has developed the ability to create a tone color that balances vocal beauty. This unique quality is evident throughout this CD of the two Saint-Saens piano concertos.
In the Concerto No.2, in G minor, Thibaudet displays all of Saint-Saens' qualities as a composer. His distillation of style conveys skillful workmanship, with clear texture, invariable musical effectiveness and just enough emotional depth. The opening is rather haunting in approach and the needed serious mood is magnificently presented with two gently expressive themes and a powerful and brilliant climax for the piano leads us to the recapitulation of the first subject. In the second movement, Thibaudet conjures a delightful scherzo character with light and rhythmic chord playing of a Mendelssohnian type and brilliant displays of technical ability. Thibaudet enters the finale with a motivating temperament which superbly conveys the tarantella theme; salient features are a central episode with trills for alternating hands that are electrifyingly charged by Thibaudet bringing the interlocking passages of the coda to a dazzling close. The Concerto No.5 in F major, makes a less immediate appeal than the previous, however, Thibaudet's innate musicality comes to the forefront, never allowing the performance to lack vitality and great depth of feeling. The performance contains qualities of neatness, finish and superb clarity; and in the central movement Thibaudet provides interesting effects of rhythmic vitality and instrumental color that provides individuality and atmosphere. The quiet opening of the first movement in broken rhythm is pleasant with the necessary holding back of distinction well respected. The finale allows Thibaudet to make use of some virtuosity displaying brilliance that gives an expansive scope to the material. The Variations Symphoniques by Franck in the hands of Thibaudet become exceptionally brilliant with a fine sense of style. He is an excellent craftsman and well grounded throughout. His playing can always be counted on to glitter and flow with considerable emotional depth. With an unparalleled sureness and rapidity the variations become even more attractive than they actually are leaving them filled with intensity and productive power. This entire recording demonstrates Thibaudet's quintessential output and is truly a jewel to behold!
Author: Raymond Vacchino M.Mus. A.Mus. L.R.S.M. Licentiate(honorary)
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Saint-Saens Concertos, March 25, 2009
Classic pianism here. One of the best Saint-Saens recordings ever, in my opinion. I hope he does the other concertos and some of the incidental music, as well. This is just as good, if not more dazzling, than Stephen Hough's series. A definite buy.
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