Only one vote; mine is Malikova/Sanderling.
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 :)
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!
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".
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.
Quote from: 71 dB on May 07, 2010, 10:46:24 PM
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.
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
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 - :D
Quote from: SonicMan on May 08, 2010, 06:45:28 AM
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 - :D
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
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.
Roge/Dutoit
Soooooooooooo good. 8)
Quote from: 71 dB on May 07, 2010, 10:46:24 PM
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.
Quote from: 71 dB on May 07, 2010, 10:46:24 PM
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. :)
I voted Hough/Oramo, but it is the only set I own and have heard. Beautiful works!
Quote from: Drasko on May 08, 2010, 07:24:28 AM
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
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on May 08, 2010, 09:05:56 AM
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.
Quote from: Drasko on May 08, 2010, 09:43:13 AM
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 :D But the piano sounds better to me now.
Sarge
Quote from: George on May 08, 2010, 07:26:03 AM
Roge/Dutoit
Soooooooooooo good. 8)
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? ??
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.
Quote from: Brian on May 08, 2010, 02:53:56 PM
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 :-\
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on May 08, 2010, 09:05:56 AM
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
I have the Tacchino/de Froment recordings as part of a 3 CD Vox box that includes the smaller works for piano and orchestra, and a miscellany of pieces featuring various instruments with or without orchestra
CD 1 PCs 1, 2, 4
CD 2 PCs 3,5 "Africa" Fantasy
CD 3 Rapsodie d'Auvergne for P. and Orch.
Wedding Cake Caprice Valse for P. and Orch.
Fantasie for Violin and Harp Op. 124
La Muse and Le Poete for Violin, Cello and Orch. Op. 132
Cypres and Lauriers for Organ and Orch. Op. 156
Morceau d Concert for Horn and Orch. Op. 94
Romance for Horn and Orch. Op. 36
Tacchino is the pianist on the shorter pieces; the other soloists are Ruggiero Ricci, Susanno Mildonian (harp), Georges Malloch (cello), J P Kemmer (organ) and Francis Orval (horn).
My memory of the sound quality is about the same as Sarge's description.
I've also got a 2 CD set featuring the complete works for violin and orchestra, and cello and orchestra (but not violin and cello and orchestra, since it's missing at least La Muse et Le Poete) (Vox issued it as a jewel case, not a box set) featuring Ricci and Laszlo Varga, and a potpourri of orchestras and conductors in which ORL/Pierre Cao are the leading element (de Froment appears for one piece, the Allegro Apassionata for Cello and Orchestra)
Hmm, I just realized that, since I also have their 5 CD set of the complete piano works (Marylene Dosse), pretty much everything I have by Saint Saens is from Vox....
I have only Roge and Hough. I love Hyperion and I particularly love their romantic piano series (of which I have 40-45 from them). But this one is, in my opinion, one of the worst engineered discs they have ever made. It drives me mad to listen to the first track of the first concerto (for example). As a result, I ended up acquiring the Roge just recently and it is much better. The playing is great, but the sound is much more balanced and resonant - a nice full sound. It's a shame really, because I do like what I hear from Hough interpretation wise.
I voted Roge/Dutoit!
But why stop at the Piano Concerti, pick this set up and you are in for a treat 0:):
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ogJyxZG0L._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
marvin
The voting has closed:
1. Roge/Dutoit
2. Tie - Malikova/Sanderling and Hough/Orama
Quote from: Bulldog on May 08, 2010, 08:14:48 AM
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.
Now that the poll has ended I can see the results. :)
Hough/Oramo set has
Africa Fantasy witch is a big plus. Amazingly "rare" work considering how fine it is!
Thanks,,
Quote from: 71 dB on May 15, 2010, 02:16:48 AM
Now that the poll has ended I can see the results. :)
Hough/Oramo set has Africa Fantasy witch is a big plus. Amazingly "rare" work considering how fine it is!
Thanks,,
It is also on the Tacchino/de Froment set (at least, it is in the VoxBox issue).
Quote from: kishnevi on May 15, 2010, 05:18:59 PM
It is also on the Tacchino/de Froment set (at least, it is in the VoxBox issue).
And on the Collard/Previn set as well.
As far as I'm concerned, Africa has too many recordings. It's the type of work I love to hate - nothing but "show" and nothing below the surface.
Quote from: kishnevi on May 15, 2010, 05:18:59 PM
It is also on the Tacchino/de Froment set (at least, it is in the VoxBox issue).
Quote from: Bulldog on May 15, 2010, 10:15:19 PMAnd on the Collard/Previn set as well.
Yes but those didn't do well in this poll!
Quote from: Bulldog on May 15, 2010, 10:15:19 PMAs far as I'm concerned, Africa has too many recordings. It's the type of work I love to hate - nothing but "show" and nothing below the surface.
Really? I didn't realize the work is hated. I like it.
Quote from: 71 dB on May 16, 2010, 01:43:19 AM
Yes but those didn't do well in this poll!
Not at all relevant. What's with the exclamation point?
Quote from: 71 dB on May 16, 2010, 01:43:19 AM
Really? I didn't realize the work is hated. I like it.
I didn't realize that either. And I love Africa. But I even like more its extended version, better known as the fith concerto, or the `Egyptian'. I know: it is all atmosphere. But it happens to be an atmosphere I love, and one of the best contributions of Saint-Saëns to music.
For me, his fifth piano concerto is one of his best pieces and a good reason to play his music at all. It is also proof that, generally speaking, his style became better over time. Much of his later pieces are neglected as out of date, but should be regarded his finest and most personal. 8)
Quote from: Bulldog on May 16, 2010, 12:51:56 PM
Not at all relevant.
Does this mean this poll was irrelevant?
Quote from: 71 dB on May 17, 2010, 06:43:24 AM
Does this mean this poll was irrelevant?
Again, the frequency of recordings of Africa has nothing to do with the thread topic which deals with member preferences among the sets of the Saint-Saens piano concerti. For the moment, I'll assume you can differentiate between "frequency" and "preference".
Quote from: SonicMan on May 08, 2010, 03:14:27 PM
Hi Brian - looking forward to your upcoming comments! :) I only have the Roge/Dutoit and enjoy - no comparative comments - Dave :-\
Hello Dave - I am going to be very unhelpful to you, sadly. Listened to Malikova's 2nd Concerto and liked it quite a bit, but this seems to just be one of those pieces where I enjoyed both the Roge and Malikova performances, but really couldn't tell you if one is "better" than the other. They were both very nice but sounded very similar to my ears. Maybe there are some aficionados who would like to weigh in.
Quote from: Brian on May 17, 2010, 11:29:27 AM
Hello Dave - I am going to be very unhelpful to you, sadly. Listened to Malikova's 2nd Concerto and liked it quite a bit, but this seems to just be one of those pieces where I enjoyed both the Roge and Malikova performances, but really couldn't tell you if one is "better" than the other. They were both very nice but sounded very similar to my ears. Maybe there are some aficionados who would like to weigh in.
Brian - thanks for your comments;
Roge at least seems to be 'near the top', so I'll just keep these recordings until others come along - Dave :D
Quote from: SonicMan on May 17, 2010, 01:05:57 PM
Brian - thanks for your comments; Roge at least seems to be 'near the top', so I'll just keep these recordings until others come along - Dave :D
I could (and likely will) live happily with the Roge for the rest of my life.
Quote from: Brian on May 17, 2010, 11:29:27 AM
They were both very nice but sounded very similar to my ears. Maybe there are some aficionados who would like to weigh in.
When I said Rogé is my least favorite, that doesn't mean I don't like his cycle too. I do. His playing is exceptional and I prefer the sound Decca achieved to any other version. To my ears his playing is very French: scintillating, elegant, with tremendous
élan but also a little cool. Same with Dutoit, a conductor I associate with elegance and restraint, not overt emotion. The most obvious example is the last movement of the Fourth where their absurdly fast tempo completely obliterates the reverential quality of the hymn-like main theme; and like Collard/Previn they give the tune the hiccups. That's unforgivable. I'm not completely happy with Malikova/Sanderling here either (they verge on being just a touch too fast) but they are preferable. (Tacchino, Entremont, Ciccolini and Casadesus are the best in this concerto.) In the first movement Malikova and Sanderling find a darkness that eludes Rogé/Dutoit. That's what I dislike about their cycle: they seem hellbent on proving Saint-Saens detractors right: that the music is all surface glitz with no depth. Other pianists, other conductors simply dig deeper. At least that's the way I hear it.
Sarge
Dutch pianist Hannes Minnaar reached the finals of the Queen Elisabeth competion and will play Saint Saens 5th concerto! Great and brave choice! I wish him all the best.
Maandag | Lundi | Monday 24/05
Yury FAVORIN
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN Sonate n. 29 in Bes op. 106 | Sonate n. 29 en si bémol majeur op. 106 | Sonata n. 29 in B flat major op. 106
JEON Minje Target
Franz LISZT Concerto n. 1 in Es | Concerto n. 1 en mi bémol majeur | Concerto n. 1 in E flat major
KIM Da Sol
Joseph HAYDN Sonate in E Hob. XVI : 31 | Sonate en mi majeur Hob. XVI : 31 | Sonata in E major Hob. XVI : 31
JEON Minje Target
Johannes BRAHMS Concerto n. 1 in d op. 15 | Concerto n. 1 en ré mineur op. 15 | Concerto n. 1 in D minor op. 15
Dinsdag | Mardi | Tuesday 25/05
PARK Jong-Hai
Franz SCHUBERT Sonate in a op. 143 D 784 | Sonate en la mineur op. 143 D 784 | Sonata in A minor op. 143 D 784
JEON Minje Target
Sergey PROKOFIEV Concerto n. 3 in C op. 26 | Concerto n. 3 en ut majeur op. 26 | Concerto n. 3 in C major op. 26
SUNWOO Yekwon
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN Sonate n. 24 in Fis op. 78 | Sonate n. 24 en fa dièse majeur op. 78 | Sonata n. 24 in F sharp major op. 78
JEON Minje Target
Sergey RACHMANINOV Concerto n. 3 in d op. 30 | Concerto n. 3 en ré mineur op. 30 | Concerto n. 3 in D minor op. 30
Woensdag | Mercredi | Wednesday 26/05
Hannes MINNAAR
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN Sonate n. 7 in D op. 10/3 | Sonate n. 7 en ré majeur op. 10/3 | Sonata n. 7 in D major op. 10/3
JEON Minje Target
Camille SAINT-SAËNS Concerto n. 5 in F op. 103 | Concerto n. 5 en fa majeur op. 103 | Concerto n. 5 in F major op. 103
Takashi SATO
Franz SCHUBERT Sonate in A D 959 | Sonate en la majeur D 959 | Sonata in A major D 959
JEON Minje Target
Sergey PROKOFIEV Concerto n. 1 in Des op. 10 | Concerto n. 1 en ré bémol majeur op. 10 | Concerto n. 1 in D flat major op. 10
Donderdag | Jeudi | Thursday 27/05
Andrejs OSOKINS
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART Sonate n. 5 in G KV 283 | Sonate n. 5 en sol majeur KV 283 | Sonata n. 5 in G major KV 283
JEON Minje Target
Sergey PROKOFIEV Concerto n. 3 in C op. 26 | Concerto n. 3 en ut majeur op. 26 | Concerto n. 3 in C major op. 26
KIM Tae-Hyung
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN Sonate n. 6 in F op. 10/2 | Sonate n. 6 en fa majeur op. 10/2 | Sonata n. 6 in F major op. 10/2
JEON Minje Target
Johannes BRAHMS Concerto n. 1 in d op. 15 | Concerto n. 1 en ré mineur op. 15 | Concerto n. 1 in D minor op. 15
Vrijdag | Vendredi | Friday 28/05
KIM Kyu Yeon
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN Sonate n. 31 in As op. 110 | Sonate n. 31 en la bémol majeur op. 110 | Sonata n. 31 in A flat major op. 110
JEON Minje Target
Sergey PROKOFIEV Concerto n. 2 in g op. 16 | Concerto n. 2 en sol mineur op. 16 | Concerto n. 2 in G minor op. 16
Evgeni BOZHANOV
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN Sonate n. 18 in Es op. 31/3 | Sonate n. 18 en mi bémol majeur op. 31/3 | Sonata n. 18 in E flat major op. 31/3
JEON Minje Target
Sergey RACHMANINOV Concerto n. 2 in c op. 18 | Concerto n. 2 en ut mineur op. 18 | Concerto n. 2 in C minor op. 18
Zaterdag | Samedi | Saturday 29/05
Claire HUANGCI
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN Sonate n. 21 in C op. 53 | Sonate n. 21 en ut majeur op. 53 | Sonata n. 21 in C major op. 53
JEON Minje Target
Sergey PROKOFIEV Concerto n. 2 in g op. 16 | Concerto n. 2 en sol mineur op. 16 | Concerto n. 2 in G minor op. 16
Denis KOZHUKHIN
Joseph HAYDN Sonate in Es Hob. XVI : 49 | Sonate en mi bémol majeur Hob. XVI : 49 | Sonata in E flat major Hob. XVI : 49
JEON Minje Target
Sergey PROKOFIEV Concerto n. 2 in g op. 16 | Concerto n. 2 en sol mineur op. 16 | Concerto n. 2 in G minor op. 16
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on May 19, 2010, 04:23:22 AM
The most obvious example is the last movement of the Fourth where their absurdly fast tempo completely obliterates the reverential quality of the hymn-like main theme;
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. I understand that you think that movement would be much better with a slower tempo, but this is not the way it was written. This is a common issue with Saint Saëns for piano players: his style was influenced by Stamaty's teaching which was quite different by the modern one. For this reason, I think Malikova's performance is very good but a bit far afield (and I think the slower tempos have a technical more than a stylistic reason).
On the contrary, I like Rogé's performance in general, but I dislike the sound of the recording. Furthermore, I find that sometimes the orchestra covers the piano in some important passages.
Finally, I think that Hough's performance is the closest to the composer's wills (on a modern piano), but I feel he's often too mechanical and I think his "sciolto/staccato" playing is sometimes out of place.
So it's difficult to say which is my favourite set because each of them have positive and negative aspects. Perhaps, if I'd buy my first set, I'd go with Rogé, but then I'd buy the other sets too.
Hough/Oramo
Quote from: sanantonio on March 21, 2013, 04:26:46 AM
There is another Dutoit set, with Jean-Yves Thibaudet. I am listening right now and liking it.
Are you sure it's a complete set? Searching online, I can find the second and fifth concertos only.
Quote from: ChamberNut on March 21, 2013, 03:22:12 AM
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 :)
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51A8fsmLecL._SX300_.jpg) (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61ctT%2BrjjBL._SX300_.jpg)
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.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/616Ymn6OITL.jpg)
Quote from: SonicMan46 on March 21, 2013, 06:54:34 AM
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.
Quote from: liverpool on March 21, 2013, 10:03:16 AM
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 :)
Quote from: SonicMan46 on March 21, 2013, 02:23:25 PM
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.
Quote from: mc ukrneal on March 21, 2013, 03:39:08 PM
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 :)
Quote from: SonicMan46 on March 21, 2013, 06:54:34 AM
Hi Ray - I added that Hough 2-CD set to my collection since my last post here
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51A8fsmLecL._SX300_.jpg)
Hi Dave, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. A great set! :)
Quote from: liverpool on March 21, 2013, 02:02:27 AM
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 :D
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
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on March 22, 2013, 05:49:43 AM
If Saint-Saens were still alive, I'd try to set him straight :D
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.
Quote from: sanantonio on March 21, 2013, 04:48:16 PM
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 (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,21614.0.html))?
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on March 22, 2013, 05:49:43 AM
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.
Quote from: Dancing Divertimentian on March 21, 2013, 09:42:13 AM
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.
Quote from: liverpool on March 23, 2013, 04:18:08 AM
Almost unfindable in my country.
Are you in the UK? If so it's here on AmazonUK. (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Saint-Saens-Piano-Concertos-1-2/dp/B0012DAC98/ref=sr_1_22?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1364083815&sr=1-22)
It's also available for cheap from the USA at Berkshire Record Outlet (http://www.berkshirerecordoutlet.com/search.php?row=0&brocode=&stocknum=&submit=Find+Item&text=el+bacha&filter=all) (fifth one down).
Quote from: Dancing Divertimentian on March 23, 2013, 04:15:35 PM
Are you in the UK? If so it's here on AmazonUK. (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Saint-Saens-Piano-Concertos-1-2/dp/B0012DAC98/ref=sr_1_22?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1364083815&sr=1-22)
Thank you very much. Maybe I'll take also Chopin's complete piano works from the french site (http://www.amazon.fr/Chopin-Int%C3%A9grale-loeuvre-piano-coffet/dp/B00005OT0L/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364120348&sr=8-1). It's very cheap indeed and the comments are very good!
By the way: the website www.calliope.tm.fr (http://www.calliope.tm.fr) (from the back cover of the CD) seems to be down.
Quote from: liverpool on March 24, 2013, 02:28:53 AM
By the way: the website www.calliope.tm.fr (http://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...
Well, waddya know-there's a thread on this very topic ::) :D
Quote from: Annie on August 25, 2013, 09:57:47 AM
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.
Good point. Any artist may have an off night; and sometimes, there just isn't the chemistry.