Your Favorite Set of the Saint-Saens Piano Concerti

[Bulldog]

Only one vote; mine is Malikova/Sanderling.

[SonicMan46]

Don - I own only the Roge-Dutoit version, and not sure if I've heard most of the others - I look forward to the responses!  Dave 

[kishnevi]

My only set is the Tacchino-deFroment, and I don't recall hearing most of the others (the only one I'm sure of is Entremont), so I'd better not vote--but please don't think I'm ignoring your poll!

[Lethevich]

The works don't seem to have that wide of an interpretive range, so when I heard Hough/Oramo, it worked as an upgrade on my older Roge/Dutoit - greatly benefitted by modern sound, and without me feeling like I lost anything in the performance.

I'll be interested if any people have a contrary opinion on a set that sounds "distinctive".

[71 dB]

I haven't heard any of these sets nor do I own any of them. No opinion, no vote. Since I don't vote I don't see how others have voted. This won't help me to buy a complete set someday. Always include "see voting result without voting option" to polls.

[The new erato]

I haven't heard any of these sets nor do I own any of them. No opinion, no vote. Since I don't vote I don't see how others have voted. This won't help me to buy a complete set someday. Always include "see voting result without voting option" to polls.

Good point. I don't feel qualified to vote but would like to see the results.

[Sergeant Rock]

I own these sets:

T. Sanderling/Malikova WDR SO Köln
Froment/Tacchino O Radio Luxembourg
Dutot/Rogé LPO/RPO/Philharmonia
Baudo/Ciccolini O De Paris

plus Previn/Collard in 2/4, Ormandy/Entremont 2/4, Bernstein/Casadesus 4, Cluytens/Gilels 2.

I voted for Sanderling/Malikova (great sound, interpretations I can live with) but I have real love for Ciccolini and Tacchino who both tend toward slower tempos (especially effective in the Fourth, my favorite among the five). Least favorite is Dutoit/Roge and I actually hate Previn/Collard's Fourth (they give the beautiful hymn-like theme of the Fourth's last movement a case of the hiccups) and have felt no need to acquire their complete set.

Sarge 

[SonicMan46]

The T. Sanderling/Malikova WDR SO Köln set appears to be a 'must hear' from the comments - but on the Audite label and a little pricey at the moment vs. some of the less expensive 2-CD bargain offerings - will put on my 'wish list' though - 

[Sergeant Rock]

The T. Sanderling/Malikova WDR SO Köln set appears to be a 'must hear' from the comments - but on the Audite label and a little pricey at the moment vs. some of the less expensive 2-CD bargain offerings - will put on my 'wish list' though - 

Yeah, I was hesitant too because of the price but I think it's worth it...like the Luisi Schmidt cycle: for me a must have, price be damned.

Sarge

[Drasko]

Don't have any sets, so I'll pass on the vote. Do have fond memories of Tacchino and maybe would even consider buying it but seem to recall orchestra sounding thin and bit scrappy, but it was ages ago since I heard those, maybe someone owning the set could comment on that.

The one I'd love to hear is Darre with Paray, that sounds like perfect match, if sound isn't too bad. Paray's accompaniment for Monique Haas' Ravel concertos (with the same ORTF orchestra) is simply perfect.

[George]

Roge/Dutoit

Soooooooooooo good. 

[Bulldog]

I haven't heard any of these sets nor do I own any of them. No opinion, no vote. Since I don't vote I don't see how others have voted. This won't help me to buy a complete set someday. Always include "see voting result without voting option" to polls.

I don't believe that this option is available; the best I could do was the option "show the poll's results to anyone".

Besides, I'll be noting the results when the poll closes.

[DavidW]

I haven't heard any of these sets nor do I own any of them. No opinion, no vote. Since I don't vote I don't see how others have voted. This won't help me to buy a complete set someday. Always include "see voting result without voting option" to polls.

I missed this option in the past too, but it is under "view results" button right underneath the poll.

[Brahmsian]

I voted Hough/Oramo, but it is the only set I own and have heard.  Beautiful works!

[Sergeant Rock]

Don't have any sets, so I'll pass on the vote. Do have fond memories of Tacchino and maybe would even consider buying it but seem to recall orchestra sounding thin and bit scrappy, but it was ages ago since I heard those, maybe someone owning the set could comment on that.

The orchestra does not play or sound bad at all, Drasko. Not thin or scrappy. I bought the Saint-Saens Brilliant box for Martinon's symphonies, not expecting anything from the Froment led, Turnabout recordings of the concertos, but I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed them. Both Froment and Tacchino are into this music and the orchestra responds well. My one complaint is that the sound is rather bright, brighter than I prefer, and the piano a little artificial sounding at some points, but it might sound better on another system, or in another room. Gramophone gave the SQ high marks so it might just be me.

Sarge

[Drasko]

The orchestra does not play or sound bad at all, Drasko. Not thin or scrappy. I bought the Saint-Saens Brilliant box for Martinon's symphonies, not expecting anything from the Froment led, Turnabout recordings of the concertos, but I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed them. Both Froment and Tacchino are into this music and the orchestra responds well. My one complaint is that the sound is rather bright, brighter than I prefer, and the piano a little artificial sounding at some points, but it might sound better on another system, or in another room. Gramophone gave the SQ high marks so it might just be me.

Sarge

Excellent! My memory was hazy on that. If I decide I need a set I'll be picking that one. Thanks, Sarge.

[Sergeant Rock]

Excellent! My memory was hazy on that. If I decide I need a set I'll be picking that one. Thanks, Sarge.

€14 for the 6 CD box from JPC. Worth it just for those Martinon-led early symphonies. I'm on my second run through of the disc with 2 and 4. My ears have adjusted...or been battered into submission...I don't know which  But the piano sounds better to me now.

Sarge

[Christo]

Roge/Dutoit

Soooooooooooo good. 

Well yes, I (hesitantly) agree.  My personal favourite and touchstone is the `Egyptian', the Fifth, even more so than the Fourth, the second best IMHO.

I love it in this performance, though I can say I only own two other complete sets: Entremont/Plasson and Tacchino/Froment.

What could be an even better sounding`Egyptian', any suggestions?  ??

[Brian]

I've only heard Roge/Dutoit and Hough/Oramo, plus the Second Concertos of Cecile Licad and Idil Biret. Out of that tiny sampling, I like Roge best. Malikova might get an audition on Naxos Music Library very, very soon.

[SonicMan46]

I've only heard Roge/Dutoit and Hough/Oramo, plus the Second Concertos of Cecile Licad and Idil Biret. Out of that tiny sampling, I like Roge best. Malikova might get an audition on Naxos Music Library very, very soon.

Hi Brian - looking forward to your upcoming comments!    I only have the Roge/Dutoit and enjoy - no comparative comments - Dave