Saint-Saens Violin Concertos - what do you recommend?

[mc ukrneal]

So, I was watching Mezzo yesterday, and they showed Perlman playing one of the Saint-Saens violin concertos and I really enjoyed it. I don't own any of them and so was investigating what I could get. I was hoping some of you would have some recommendations. I listed what I could find. There are not too many. The Kantorow comes on three separate discs and would thus be quite expensive. The mix of Chung and Kantorow would be a bit more expensive, but I don't have all the works that come with #2, so that would be a benefit as well. The Hoelscher comes on EMI as a two-fer. I'd be interested in that, but not in the Brilliant box as I already have many works contained it that. Any recommendation appreciated regardless of vote.

I've set it up so you can have two votes and see the results even if you don't vote. You can also change your vote.

[mc ukrneal]

Oh my! Just one vote. I guess there is not so much interest in Saint Saens Violin concertos, but maybe one more will take pity on me!

[Lethevich]

I'm also a bit shocked at how unpopular this turned out to be. I don't know the works well, but they seem to be well-written, perhaps on the level of his cello concertos.

I've had my eye on Kantorow, thinking "ah, finally a "perfect" recording", but I've been holding back.

[Gurn Blanston]

Well, I have to go with what I have, and since I am pleased with them, I can feel good about saying so. So I went for Ricci on Vox, which is very nice although it's been around for a long, long time! And I also have Perlman coupled with an excellent Lalo "Symphonie Espagnole":

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In 'modern' (post-Classical) standard rep, IMO you are hard-pressed to beat Perlman.




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Now playing:
Smithson String Quartet - K 421 Quartet #15 in d for Strings 1st mvmt - Allegro moderato

[Scarpia]

Second time I have posted a link to this within the week. 

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[Daverz]

You missed Francescatti (mono, but from the "hi-fi" era).  The Naxos is very good (Dong-Suk Kang is the violinist), too, and that Grumiaux CD as well.  Well, of course, those are the only ones I have.   

[dirkronk]

You missed Francescatti (mono, but from the "hi-fi" era).  The Naxos is very good (Dong-Suk Kang is the violinist), too, and that Grumiaux CD as well.  Well, of course, those are the only ones I have.   

That whole Francescatti set is great. (Are the Masterwork Heritage series CD releases still around, though?)
I have Grumiaux on vinyl, too, but it's been a while since I heard it.

In each case, of course, you only get the 3rd concerto. I'm afraid I've never listened to the others...so I'll be watching this thread for reviews by those who have.

Cheers,

Dirk

[Mr. Darcy]

I'm not a huge Saint-Saens fans, and I know it's not all three concertos, but this is a pretty fantastic disc with Cho-Liang Lin in #3:

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[Daverz]

That whole Francescatti set is great. (Are the Masterwork Heritage series CD releases still around, though?)

No, which is why I didn't provide a link to the Amazon Marketplace scalpers.  I managed to find it for a reasonable price somewhere (Amazon UK?).  I see a seller on Amazon.fr offering it for 12 Euro, but I can't tell it they'll ship internationally.

Archivmusic has a CD-R of an older release of the Saint-Saens, but the Heritage series had such superior remastering that I'd hold out for that set.  There's also a pricey Japanese CD.

In each case, of course, you only get the 3rd concerto. I'm afraid I've never listened to the others...so I'll be watching this thread for reviews by those who have.

I don't remember hearing the other two.  Archivmusic shows 11 recordings of No. 1 and 7 of No. 2 vs. 42 for No. 3.

Wait, I do have the Hoelscher set on Lp.  I'll have to dig it up.

[mc ukrneal]

No, which is why I didn't provide a link to the Amazon Marketplace scalpers.  I managed to find it for a reasonable price somewhere (Amazon UK?).  I see a seller on Amazon.fr offering it for 12 Euro, but I can't tell it they'll ship internationally.

Archivmusic has a CD-R of an older release of the Saint-Saens, but the Heritage series had such superior remastering that I'd hold out for that set.  There's also a pricey Japanese CD.

I don't remember hearing the other two.  Archivmusic shows 11 recordings of No. 1 and 7 of No. 2 vs. 42 for No. 3.

Wait, I do have the Hoelscher set on Lp.  I'll have to dig it up.

This is going to be a harder choice than I thought. I discovered the Hoelscher/Dervaux at Berkshire on a 5 disc set ($14.95), but unfortunately I don't need the rest and it is more expensive than the double EMI alone. I mention it in case anyone might be interested.