Your Favorite Set of the Saint-Saens Piano Concerti

[SonicMan46]

Hough/Oramo

Hi Ray - I added that Hough 2-CD set to my collection since my last post here - one outlying review on Amazon; but, the Audite offering now interest me (not cheap!) - will await some more comments - Dave

 

[Dancing Divertimentian]

The closest I've come to buying a complete set has been the Hough set on Hyperion - this based on a couple of chance encounters of various movements courtesy of my local classical station. What I've heard sounds marvelous.

But so far I've been extremely satisfied with concertos 1 and 2 from a very French sounding Lebanese pianist, Abdel Rahman El Bacha, whose teaming with French forces no doubt influences things.

And the sound is absolutely bell-like and clear.

[liverpool]

the Audite offering now interest me (not cheap!) - will await some more comments - Dave

I see you live in the States and I see you can find that set on the marketplace for about 24 $. I think it's not that expensive, forasmuch as it's a double SACD.

[SonicMan46]

I see you live in the States and I see you can find that set on the marketplace for about 24 $. I think it's not that expensive, forasmuch as it's a double SACD.

Well, just re-checked and the Amazon MP retailers are two that I've used a LOT, i.e. ImportCDs & Classical Music Superstore - $24 is certainly a good price for Audite offerings (own a lot of their recordings, esp. of the Franck father & son team) - BUT will wait for some responses of our fellow members - thanks.  Dave

[mc ukrneal]

Well, just re-checked and the Amazon MP retailers are two that I've used a LOT, i.e. ImportCDs & Classical Music Superstore - $24 is certainly a good price for Audite offerings (own a lot of their recordings, esp. of the Franck father & son team) - BUT will wait for some responses of our fellow members - thanks.  Dave

I have been watching this release for about the past 6 months. The cheapest that it has been available has been about $22 for a new one at Amazon (including shipping). Importcds has it for abotu $21 (includes the $1.5 per disc, but not the general shipping charge), so similar. 

[SonicMan46]

I have been watching this release for about the past 6 months. The cheapest that it has been available has been about $22 for a new one at Amazon (including shipping). Importcds has it for abotu $21 (includes the $1.5 per disc, but not the general shipping charge), so similar.

Hi Neal - well the OP (i.e. Bulldog, a.k.a Don, a.k.a now Sammy - may have to redo the original poll from 3 yrs ago - YIKES - is that possible?)  NOT sure of current releases to be added or older ones that should be deleted?  Hopefully, Don will be seeing this thread and break-in w/ some comments - Dave

[Brahmsian]

Hi Ray - I added that Hough 2-CD set to my collection since my last post here

Hi Dave, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.  A great set! 

[Sergeant Rock]

The metronome marking in the manuscript (added afterwards) and in the first edition score is a quarter note=184 bpm, so I think you could be wrong (in my humble opinion). Maybe you simply don't like the way Saint Saëns composed his works, but it's unfair to say that Rogé is too fast, when Malikova is too slow on the contrary.

If Saint-Saens were still alive, I'd try to set him straight 

Seriously, this isn't the first time I've disagreed with a composer about how his music should go. We all do it (and performing artists--conductors, soloists--do it all the time; that's why no performance of any work sounds the same as another). You're right; I was offereing my opinion on various versions based on how I prefer the music. For my taste, Rogé is simply too fast in the Allegro of the Fourth's second movement. That Saint-Saens would have been happy with it (or with Hough), makes no difference to me. Of course I want to hear it that way occasionally (I like variety) which is why I own their cycle, and four others.

Sarge

[Karl Henning]

If Saint-Saens were still alive, I'd try to set him straight 

Seriously, this isn't the first time I've disagreed with a composer about how his music should go. We all do it (and performing artists--conductors, soloists--do it all the time; that's why no performance of any work sounds the same as another).

An idea which has arisen in more than one discussion is, that in fact great music admits of a range of interpretation (even before going Beyond the Pale).  The res will vary from composer to composer, but a marking in the score may not mean this way, and no other.

[liverpool]

Right now I'm listening to Anna Malikova with Thomas Sanderling.

I look forward to reading your opinion on this set. Apart from what I said before, I think it's a really good set, with a clear and balanced sound. Did you notice what I said about the end of the first movement of the first concerto in another thread (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,21614.0.html)?

Seriously, this isn't the first time I've disagreed with a composer about how his music should go.

Me too several times. This is why I understand very well your position.

But so far I've been extremely satisfied with concertos 1 and 2 from a very French sounding Lebanese pianist, Abdel Rahman El Bacha, whose teaming with French forces no doubt influences things.

Almost unfindable in my country.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Almost unfindable in my country.

Are you in the UK? If so it's here on AmazonUK.

It's also available for cheap from the USA at Berkshire Record Outlet (fifth one down).

[liverpool]

Are you in the UK? If so it's here on AmazonUK.

Thank you very much. Maybe I'll take also Chopin's complete piano works from the french site. It's very cheap indeed and the comments are very good!

By the way: the website www.calliope.tm.fr (from the back cover of the CD) seems to be down.

[mc ukrneal]

By the way: the website www.calliope.tm.fr (from the back cover of the CD) seems to be down.

I seen to remember reading they closed shop some years ago...

[kyjo]

Well, waddya know-there's a thread on this very topic

[Karl Henning]

Until Shelley adds the other 4 to his No 2 with Greed/OperaNorthOrchestra:

[asin]B00005NUPA[/asin]

I should really give that a shot, I suppose.  Fact is, though, we heard him play № 5 live here in Symphony Hall, and it was fatally tepid.

[Karl Henning]

Good point. Any artist may have an off night;  and sometimes, there just isn't the chemistry.