Franck: Symphony in D Minor/Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 in C Minor

On this CD:

1. Symphony, in D minor, Op. 48 [live]
Composed by Cesar Franck
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra with Daniel Chorzempa
Conducted by Zubin Mehta

2. Symphony No. 3 ("Organ"), in C minor, Op. 78
Composed by Camille Saint-Saens
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra with Daniel Chorzempa
Conducted by Zubin Mehta

Tracks:

Cello Concerto In B Minor Op. 104: I. Allegro - Dvorak
Cello Concerto No.2 In D: I. Allegro moderato
Cello Concerto No.2 In D: II. Adagio
Cello Concerto No.2 In D: III. Allegro
Cello Concerto In E Minor: I. Adagio - Moderato
Cello Concerto In E Minor: II. Lento - Allegro molto
Cello Concerto In E Minor: III. Adagio
Cello Concerto In E Minor: IV. Allegro, Moderato, Allegro ma non troppo

Tracks:

Sicilienne
Three Fantasy Pieces: I. Zart mit Audruck
Three Fantasy Pieces: II. Lebhaft
Three Fantasy Pieces: III. Rasch und mit Feuer
Sing Without Words in D, Op.109
Elegie In C Minor, Op. 24
The Toccata: Adagio
The Carnival Of The Animals: The Swan
Suite populaire espagnole: Jota
Kol nidrei, Op. 47
Piano Trio In B-flat 'Archduke', Op.97
Cello Sonata No.2 In F, Op.99
Sonata in A

Customer Reviews:

cello lover.......2007-05-31

Absoluty the best. It is no wonder she was the world premier cello artist!! Can't say enough. If you love cello, and classical music, this is a must have. Her whole collection is worth every penny!!!

99% perspiration.......2006-11-08

(4.5/5 stars) This is a two-disc collection of musical works, in which the great cellist Jacqueline du Pre plays. The first disc consists of three cello concerti by three different composers: Dvorak (Romantic), Haydn (Classical) and Elgar (Romantic). Very good music, though it might leave you wondering what all the fuss is about. Not to worry: just pop in Disc Two to find out. The second disc contains shorter works by a wider variety of composers. It also might just leave you breathless by its beauty. Saint-Säens' "The Swan" (from "Carnival of the Animals") is nearly indescribable in its elegance, with du Pre's cello dancing with a harp. This haunting recording should not be missed. Bruch's "Kol Nidrei" is magnificently gorgeous as well. Three fantasy pieces from Schumann, one of Mendelssohn's "Lieder Ohne Wörter" and a stunning Brahms sonata infuse this collection with genuine grace. Since these were recorded prior to the advent of digital recordings, you might hear a very slight hiss on some of the recordings. This is barely audible and really does not detract from the pleasure of listening to it. Each disc runs 75 minutes, making this inspiration last long indeed.

Immortal Legend.......2006-10-07

As a cellist, I grew up listening to Jacqueline Du Pre's recordings. Even now as a 35 year old, I'm still enthralled by her amazing talent. This is a great cd if one is looking for a wonderful introduction to this superb cellist or simply wants to savor her most well known recordings. Du Pre owned the "Elgar" concerto. No other words can summarize this fact. Other beautiful and moving pieces are here on this disc: Bruch "Kol Nidrei", Haydn "Concerto No.2", Faure "Elegie", Brahms "Concerto No.2". The cello is a difficult instrument to play due to the strength required in both hands. Du Pre's playing touches the heartstrings with both emotion and depth. The tone that she coaxes from her cello is amazing. Jacqueline Du Pre is a legend.

Epitome of Cello.......2006-06-23

As a cellist, I absolutely love du Pré's work. I actually found this CD when I was looking for a modern recording of "A Jacqueline du Pré Recital", a record compiled of pieces done between July 15, 1962 and April 1, 1969. The second CD in this set contains the same songs as that record.

The concertos on the first CD are spectacular, especially her rendition of the Elgar concerto which has defined the piece since she first performed it. The second CD, however, is just as wonderful as a collection of some of the most loved cello pieces. No cello recording complete without Saint Saen's "The Swan" and du Pré's version is the only one I've ever heard that I actually like. "Elégie in C minor" (composed by Gabriel Fauré) is one of my personal favorites especially since her rapport with the pianist is obvious and the two instruments blend in a way that makes the piece even more poignant.

Overall, this CD is a must-have for anyone who loves cello as a perfect sample of Jacqueline du Pré's work.

Ooo! Samples!.......2005-11-29

As far as the romantic period goes, Jacqueline Du Pre is my personal favorite 'cellist. Her sensitivity to put expression of the musical idea always outweighed the desire to appear impressive. There is a difference in being just a virtuoso and being a musician. A virtuoso has the capability to dazzle and amaze, but music is more than just being impressive, and Du Pre succeeds in becoming, in every sense, a musician first and foremost. The only complaint I have of this album is the fact that you only get one movement of each piece! Even so, this a wonderful "sample dish" of Du Pre's extraordinary playing, mainly meant to get you hooked so you can get more.

Average customer rating:

"Blasted" away
Wow!
For those who like BIG organ works
Pure Majestic Power!
Excellent Performance by Murray

An Organ Blaster Sampler

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Organ Spectacular
Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3
Bach: Great Organ Works
Ceremonial Music for Trumpet & Symphonic Organ
Music for Organ, Brass & Percussion

ASIN: B000003CXP
Release Date: 1991-02-10

Tracks:

Toccata And Fugue In D Minor
Toccata
Toccata
The Emperor's Fanfare
Beaucoup Plus Largement
Dieu Parmi Nous
Finale
Rigaudon
Fanfare
Maestoso

Customer Reviews:

"Blasted" away.......2006-09-27

I am by no standards an expert on music, let alone organ music. I just purchased this CD because I love the sound of the organ, and wanted an album from a mix of artists before I started branching out to single composers. I would also consider myself an audiophile, only listening to high quality music with my portable headphone amplifier and Sennheiser HD-555's. Let me tell you, the quality is perfect, and the music is incredible! Such a full sound, it's *almost* as good as sitting in audience, only lacking the full body experience of organ music. I would recommend this to anybody looking to get a foot into the world of organ music.

Wow!.......2006-06-07

I happen to love organ music, even that tacky Saint-Saens
Third Symphony (with which this CD ends and just the third movement).

I grew up with E. Power Biggs, Virgil Fox, et al. and had never heard of Michael Murray (okay, it's been a while). I bought this delightful CD when it first appeared and before Amazon had been invented.

Upon hearing that most famous work with which Murray begins, I confess I was just this side of hysterical -- I was laughing with pure happiness. Murray's take on is it wonderfully over-the-top in the best possible sense. I have a son-in-law who is a musician and, indeed, does play the organ (i.e., if any of them have had pipes, I don't know, but I'm here to tell you, I don't want to hear ANY but pipe organs -- okay, I'm old).

At any rate, to hear this Toccata and Fugue played with such (carefully studied) abandon so tickled me, I called Brian (the son-in-law) and demanded that he listen while I put it on my stereo.

Now I'm going to send it to my son Bruce upon learning last night that he LOVES organ music. Who knew? He's 54 years old, for goodness' sake and never mentioned that little item before.

For those who like BIG organ works.......2005-09-04

This CD concentrates on the big, showy organ pieces that organists love to play. As an organist myself, I find that such numbers are usually more fun to play than to hear. Fortunately, this CD is very listenable, and makes the case for both playing and listening to these works. I'd buy it again; maybe more telling, I'm looking for some of the music, so I can go play it!

Pure Majestic Power!.......2003-07-20

Corey is right - this is an outstanding organ CD, one of the best I've heard. Murray plays some of the largest and most powerful organs on Earth, and uses the reed stops more than the usual organist to produce great effects and a wall of sound that are majestic in the extreme. The selections are all great virtuoso showpieces, and track #6 by Messiaen (Dieu parmi nous from La Nativite') is especially demonstrative of the great contrasts available in a large organ. The horizontal trumpets in this piece are predominant and very bright, contrasting with the snarling bass of the pedal organ.

A word of caution - this CD requires a capable stereo (think subwoofer) to sound its best. Trust me - if you listen to this CD on a good stereo and if you like organ music, you'll sit there with a big grin on your face and tears in your eyes as you listen to this CD.

Excellent Performance by Murray.......2001-11-09

This is by far one of the best organ CD's I have ever listened to. The variety is very good overall. From the state trumpets at St. John's to the mighty organ of First Congregational Church, Murray provides nice registration on all of the organs sampled. The Finale from Saint-Saens No. 3 is awesome with the Philadelphia Orchestra under Eugene Ormandy,s direction. Murray provides his own notes on the organs and the pieces in the booklet that is included. This is some fine organ music!!

Average customer rating:

Mostly valuable for the sonatas & suites
wonderful
Great record of Great cellist at Great budget price
A Great Compilation of Great Cello Music
Wonderful! Indispensable! So why only four stars..?

Les introuvables de Jacqueline du Pré
Edward Elgar , Frederick Delius , Camille Saint-Saens , Antonin Dvorak , Robert Schumann , Arnold Schoenberg , Franz Joseph Haydn , Fryderyk Chopin , Cesar Franck , Gabriel Faure , Max Bruch , Johann Sebastian Bach , George Frideric Handel , Ludwig van Beethoven , London Symphony Orchestra , Royal Philharmonic Orchestra , New Philharmonia Orchestra , Chicago Symphony Orchestra , Sir John Barbirolli , Malcolm Sargent , Daniel Barenboim , Jacqueline du Pré , Valda Aveling , English Chamber Orchestra , Gerald Moore , Ernest Lush , and Stephen Kovacevich
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Brahms: Cello Sonatas [includes bonus DVD]
Jacqueline du Pre In Portrait
Jacqueline du Pré - The Concerto Collection
Jacqueline du Pré - a lasting inspiration
Jacqueline du Pré - Chopin: Cello Sonata in G minor, Franck: Sonata in A / Barenboim

ASIN: B000002SCC
Release Date: 2002-08-05

Tracks:

Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestre en mi mineur: In E Minor, Op. 85: I. Adagio - Moderato
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestre en mi mineur: In E Minor, Op. 85: II. Lento - Allegro molto
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestre en mi mineur: In E Minor, Op. 85: Adagio
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestre en mi mineur: In E Minor, Op. 85: IV. Allegro, ma non troppo
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestra: Lento - Con moto tranquillo - Lento - Con moto tranquillo - Allegramente
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestre n 1 en la mineur: In A Minor, Op. 33: I. Allegro non troppo
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestre n 1 en la mineur: In A Minor, Op. 33: II. Allegretto con moto
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestre n 1 en la mineur: In A Minor, Op. 33: III. Allegro non troppo

Tracks:

Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestre en si mineur: In B Minor, Op. 104: I. Allegro
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestre en si mineur: In B Minor, Op. 104: II. Adagio ma no troppo
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestre en si mineur: In B Minor, Op. 104: III. Finale (Allegro moderato)
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestre en si mineur: In B Minor, Op. 104: Waldesruhe (Silence Woods.) pour violoncelle et orchestre, Op. 68
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestra en la mineur: In A Minor Op. 129: I. Nicht zu schnell
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestra en la mineur: In A Minor Op. 129: II Langsam - Etwas lebhafter - Schneller
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestra en la mineur: In A Minor Op. 129: III Sehr lebhaft - Cadenza - Sehr lebhaft

Tracks:

Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestra en sol mineur: I. Allegro
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestra en sol mineur: II. Adagio
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestra en sol mineur: III. Allegro non tanto
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestra en re majeur, Hob. VIIb:2: I. Allegro moderato
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestra en re majeur, Hob. VIIb:2: II. Adagio
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestra en re majeur, Hob. VIIb:2: III. Rondo (Allegro)
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestre en ut majeur, Hob. VIIb: 1: I. Moderato
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestre en ut majeur, Hob. VIIb: 1: II. Adagio
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestre en ut majeur, Hob. VIIb: 1: III. Allegro molto

Tracks:

Sonate pour violoncelle et piano en sol mineur, Op. 65: I. Allegro moderato
Sonate pour violoncelle et piano en sol mineur, Op. 65: II. Allegro con brio
Sonate pour violoncelle et piano en sol mineur, Op. 65: III. Largo
Sonate pour violoncelle et piano en sol mineur, Op. 65: IV. Finale (Allegro)
Sonate pour violoncelle et piano en la majeur: I. Allegro ben moderato
Sonate pour violoncelle et piano en la majeur: II. Allegro
Sonate pour violoncelle et piano en la majeur: III. Recitativo - Fantasia (Molto lento)
Sonate pour violoncelle et piano en la majeur: IV. Allegretto poco mosso
Elegie en ut mineur, Op. 24
Kol nidrei, Op. 47

Tracks:

Suite pour violoncelle seul No. 1 en sol majeur, BWV 1007: I. Prelude
Suite pour violoncelle seul No. 1 en sol majeur, BWV 1007: II. Allemande
Suite pour violoncelle seul No. 1 en sol majeur, BWV 1007: III. Courante
Suite pour violoncelle seul No. 1 en sol majeur, BWV 1007: IV. Sarabande
Suite pour violoncelle seul No. 1 en sol majeur, BWV 1007: V. Menuetto I & II
Suite pour violoncelle seul No. 1 en sol majeur, BWV 1007: VI. Gigue
Suite pour violoncelle seul No. 2 en re mineur, BWV 1008: I. Prelude
Suite pour violoncelle seul No. 2 en sol majeur, BWV 1008: II. Allemande
Suite pour violoncelle seul No. 2 en sol majeur, BWV 1008: III. Courante
Suite pour violoncelle seul No. 2 en sol majeur, BWV 1008: IV. Sarabande
Suite pour violoncelle seul No. 2 en sol majeur, BWV 1008: V. Menuetto I & II
Suite pour violoncelle seul No. 2 en sol majeur, BWV 1008: VI. Gigue
Sonate pour violoncelle et piano en sol mineur: I. Grave
Sonate pour violoncelle et piano en sol mineur: II. Allegro
Sonate pour violoncelle et piano en sol mineur: III. Sarabande
Sonate pour violoncelle et piano en sol mineur: IV. Allegro
'Judas Maccabaeus' de Haendel, en sol majeur, woO.45: Variations sur le theme 'See, The Conqu'ring Hero Comes

Tracks:

Sonate pour violoncelle et piano No. 3 en la majeur, Op. 69: I. Allegro ma non tanto
Sonate pour violoncelle et piano No. 3 en la majeur, Op. 69: II. Scherzo (Allegro molto)
Sonate pour violoncelle et piano No. 3 en la majeur, Op. 69: III. Adagio cantabile
Sonate pour violoncelle et piano No. 3 en la majeur, Op. 69: IV. Allegro vivace
Sonate pour violoncelle et piano No. 5 en re majeur, Op. 102 No. 2: I. Allegro con brio
Sonate pour violoncelle et piano No. 5 en re majeur, Op. 102 No. 2: II. Adagio con molto sentimento d'affeto
Sonate pour violoncelle et piano No. 5 en re majeur, Op. 102, No. 2: III. Allegro - Allegro fugato
7 Variations sur le theme Bei Mannern, welche Liebe fuhlen': 'La Flute enchantee' de Mozart, en mi bemol majeur Es-dur, Op.66
12 Variations sur le theme 'Ein Madchen oder Weibchen': 'La Flute enchantee' de Mozart, en fa majeur, Op.66

Amazon.com

Although most of this set is devoted to major cello concertos (Elgar, Saint-Saëns, Dvorák, Schumann, Haydn) that Du Pré played so well, perhaps the most treasurable recording is one of two Beethoven cello sonatas with the pianist Stephen Bishop (Kovacevich). Recorded very early in her career, these show Du Pré at her most eloquent, the early promise of a great career so cruelly interrupted. This set includes most of the cellist's best recordings. Too bad it's not 10 times the size. If the cellist's passion occasionally seems excessive, at least it's the right kind of flaw to have. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Mostly valuable for the sonatas & suites.......2002-07-02

Although Jackie du Pre's playing in the Elgar, Delius and Schoenberg concerti was superb, I for one simply find nothing to admire in that music. Perhaps this is my fault, perhaps not, but in general there are so many superb recordings of the Haydn and Dvorak concerti that only the sentiments surrounding her decline into MS and early death recommend them.

On the other hand, the recordings of the Chopin, Beethoven and other sonatas in the second 3 discs of this set are among the most moving recordings ever made. Jackie never had quite the golden tone or perfect technique of Feuermann or Yo-Yo Ma, and this shows itself more in the Bach unaccompanied cello suites where she plays a few scratchy-sounding turns, but the deep-down love and emotional commitment of her playing always communicated itself effectively. In short, then, I recommend this set for the sonatas & suites, but if you also enjoy these concerto recordings, you will love it all.

wonderful.......2001-04-22

this is a wonderful recording of some of the best cello music played by one of the worlds best cello players, the late jacqueline du pre. jackie had magic in her fingertips and listening to these recordings is pure joy, one of the best set I had the chance to hear.

Great record of Great cellist at Great budget price.......2000-11-04

The collection dosen't have Brahms's Cello Sonatas. But you picture her portrait by these 6 CDs( The cost is 7 dollars or less per one CD ). If you don't know what kind of cellist she was--yet, I want you to get it.

You would meet extraordinary emitted passion by Du Pre in Elgar( needlees to say, it is one of her most famous performance), Saint-Saens, Dovrak( in spite of unskillful conducting of Barenboim), Schumann. The set has not only her famous performance of the Concertos in disk 1-3, but also various Sonatas( Barenboim makes excellent piano playing in good harmony with his wife more than support) in disk 4-6.

Furthermore, the Bach's Cello Suite No.1 and No.2, as her only solo performance in this collection, are very interesting. Its passionate Bach(!!) is certainly like Du Pre.

Thanks EMI FRANCE for the great work!!

A Great Compilation of Great Cello Music.......2000-07-26

This collection, composed of the great works for the cello, is a must have in any serious classical music fan's library. It is an even better collection for the "newbie" to the genre. Jacqueline du Pre was undoubtedly one of the greatest artist of the century and her passion is well documented in this collection. Just get it...if you like classical music...you'll like this collection and the price is great too. What's to lose?

Wonderful! Indispensable! So why only four stars..?.......2000-03-19

This is definitely worth getting, and Amazon's price is right. Du Pre was one of the greatest ever (Yo-Yo Ma now owns her cello, in case any of you play Classical Music Trivial Pursuit), and I cry inwardly when I think of her early death. The Elgar Concerto alone on this set is enough to justify the purchase price. After she died, several "name" conductors vowed they would never perform or record it again with anybody, so strong was their memory of her. So why only four stars here? Two reasons: some of these performances are with hubby Daniel Barenboim conducting, and they just aren't quite in the same league as the other efforts. Just compare the Barbirolli Haydn and the Barenboim Haydn to see what I mean: both are slow-tempoed, and neither would be my top-drawer choice. But Barbirolli *almost* makes it work, and has a certain perverse logic, whereas DB is just dull and colorless and square. The second defect is the remastered sound, which oftentimes is not very good. Sure these are "historic" recordings, but they're not that old, most are stereo. Still, the sound is flat and clipped at the high end. This should not dissade anyone from getting this set, however. Just don't expect a sonic demo disc. You will get thrilling cello playing across a broad selection of repertoire.

Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 (Organ") Encores à la française

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Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 (Organ") Encores à la française

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0001KL4JK
Release Date: 2004-03-23

Musik...Sprache der Welt: Selected Orchestral Recordings II [Box Set]

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Musik...Sprache der Welt: Selected Orchestral Recordings II [Box Set]

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Musik.... Sprache der Welt (Music.... The Universal Language): Works by Haydn / Mozart / Beethoven / Schubert / Berlioz / Schumann / Brahms / Bruckner Conducted by Fricsay / Jochum / Sanderling / Böhm / Markevitch / Lehmann / Furtwängler

ASIN: B00083D4JS
Release Date: 2005-10-11

Franck: Symphony in D minor; Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 78

Average customer rating:

Orchestra below par in Organ Symphony

Franck: Symphony in D minor; Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 78
Cesar Franck , Camille Saint-Saens , Antonio de Almeida , Moscow Symphony Orchestra , and Ludmila Golub
Manufacturer: Amadis
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000IKS9
Release Date: 2000-10-07

Tracks:

Symphony In D Minor: Lento - Allegro non troppo
Symphony In D Minor: Allegretto
Symphony In D Minor: Allegro non troppo
Symphony No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 78 (Organ Symphony): Adagio - Allegro moderato - Poco adagio
Symphony No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 78 (Organ Symphony): Allegro moderato - Presto

Customer Reviews:

Orchestra below par in Organ Symphony.......2006-06-14

Some symphonies can be played reasonably well by just about any competent orchestra. Other works require virtuoso orchestras. The Saint-Saens 3rd is one of them. Only the best orchestras should attempt this difficult masterpiece. The violin articulation required in the first movement sounds incredibly difficult and apparently it is because this Moscow orchestra cannot play it. Only in the slow movement do they sound good.
The Franck gets a fine performance and since the CD costs only 3 bucks, you can still buy it and get good value. But look elsewhere for the Saint-Saens.

Average customer rating:

Popular French Romantics, Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Asv Living Era
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Popular French Romantics, Volume 1

ASIN: B0000030QS
Release Date: 1993-12-15

Tracks:

Prld And Fugue No.3 in C, Op.109
Sym No.4 in f, Op.13 No.4: Andante Cantabile
Sym No.4: Scherzo
Sym No.1 in d, Op.14: Final
Grand Choeur in D (Alla Handel), Op.18
Prld, Fugue And Var in b, Op.18
Toccata in d
Triptyque, Op.58: Stele Un Enfant Defunt
Carillon-Sortie in D

Saint-Saens: Symphony No3; Franck: Symphony in Dm

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Saint-Saens: Symphony No3; Franck: Symphony in Dm

Manufacturer: Vanguard Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Tracks:

Symphony No. 3, 'Organ,' In C Minor, Op. 78: Part I: Adagio - Allegro moderato - Poco adagio
Symphony No. 3, 'Organ,' In C Minor, Op. 78: Part 2: Allegro moderato - Presto - Maestoso - Allegro
Symphony In D Minor: Lento - Allegro non troppo
Symphony In D Minor: Allegretto
Symphony In D Minor: Allegro non troppo

Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 "Organ"; Franck: Symphony in E [Dual Disc]

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Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 "Organ"; Franck: Symphony in E [Dual Disc]

Manufacturer: Silverline
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Franck: Symphony In D/Saint-Saëns: Symphony No.3

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Symphony with Organ
Fresh Interpretations of Much-Maligned Masterworks!

Franck: Symphony In D/Saint-Saëns: Symphony No.3

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000003EYE
Release Date: 1992-03-10

Tracks:

Sym in d: Lento; Allegro Non Troppo
Sym in d: Allegretto
Sym in d: Allegro Non Troppo
Sym No.3 'Organ', Op.78 in c: Adagio; Allegro Moderato
Sym No.3 'Organ', Op.78 in c: Poco Adagio
Sym No.3 'Organ', Op.78 in c: Allegro Moderato; Presto
Sym No.3 'Organ', Op.78 in c: Maestoso; Allegro

Customer Reviews:

Symphony with Organ.......1998-12-25

This CD happens to be one of my favorite, even after reading the last reviewer's comments on its mastering. Yes, I do hope one day we will find those proverbial superior radio transcriptions, but for now these will do fine. I particularly love the performance of the Saint-Saens. People now seem to overlook the composer's own wordage in naming this piece. The direct translation is: Symphony with Organ. That does not mean Organ Concerto. It's a Symphony with an Organ, and that's how Toscanini took it. The organist just didn't have the super high stops in use, probably at the conductors wishes. In this recording the organ blends with the orechestra, doesn't stick out and provides the foundation without rocking the hall. Also, the last movement of this symphony is extraordinary because one can hear thebeautiful cascading piano accompaniment that occurs during the first statement of that beautiful theme. I know the organ sounds odd, but that can probably be attributed to the lack of using the best source material. And the Franck is simply astounding, especially in the last part of the first movement.

Fresh Interpretations of Much-Maligned Masterworks!.......1998-09-16

Toscanini was, as a conductor, akin to the restoration artists who work on old oil paintings, painstakingly removing layers of dull and crackled shellac, repairing rips and tears in the canvas, and replacing missing bits of paint that have been scraped away through careless handling and storage.

A commonplace "repertoire piece" that one has heard innumerable times, and has become a bit tired and worn through over-familiarity, becomes exciting, new, and fresh again when viewed through the ever-young vitality of the Maestro's probing search for not only the precise details of the composer's intentions, but also the overarching architectural structure and "big picture" of a work.

The Franck symphony is surely among the dullest of experiences in a typical routine matinee concert, under the baton of a maestro who has heard it much too often to take it seriously. But for Toscanini almost every concert was a life- and- death event of the deepest commitment. "PUT BLOOD!!" he screamed to his NBC Symphony players during rehearsals for his broadcasts and recordings. "YOU THINK I AM CRAZY? I am not crazy...SENSITIVE, YES!" he groaned during one specific encounter with an ensemble that did not seem to be giving him their all.

It is not a crazy or obsessed man, but a sensitive one who conducts this composite recording of Franck's D Minor Symphony (the first movement comes from the broadcast of Dec. 14, 1940; the remaining two from March 24, 1946.) The sound is well matched, and the interpretation is diligent, powerful, emotional, and expressive, far surpassing (I think) the effort of Guido Cantelli with the NBC Symphony, recorded in stereo by RCA in 1954. To give his approval for release, the Maestro insisted on this particular intermingling of the two performances, despite the 6 year difference in their occurrence (and the superiority of the sound in the latter recording.) Music & Arts has issued an excellent transfer of the 1940 program on CD 898, and Dell'Arte has supplied the 1946 rendition on CD DA 9021. If you have neither of these, this authorized RCA/BMG CD will do nicely: it has the best possible "in-house" sound, and one will not be troubled by the difference in source dates.

The Saint-Saens "Organ" Symphony has grown immeasurably in popularity, aided by the development of "hi fi" and home reproduction equipment; this listener remembers when there were only a couple of versions extant, the ancient Coppola shellacs c. 1930, and the post-war NYP account by Munch. Then came the hell- for- leather Boston Symphony/ Zamkochian/ Munch interpretation for RCA Red Seal, and the "over the top" approach to this powerhouse symphony seems to have been sealed in amber for all time. Most conductors play it as a raucous showpiece; Toscanini is much more reserved and "severe" in his Nov. 15, 1952 broadcast, somewhat marred by a very strange sounding organ (can it be an early electronic model? It almost wheezes, and sounds like an underpowered Wurlitzer.) But the cumulative effect of this very honest and rigorous approach is to make one suspect that Munch and his extroverted conducting cohorts are reading a bit too much into this piece, and failing to preserve the classical Gallic qualities that are inherent. Without a Monteux reading as an ultimate reference for style, I consider this Toscanini and the stereo version by Paray as benchmarks for the work.

Rumor has it, unfortunately, that the RCA producer (and onetime Toscanini conducting student) Charles Gerhardt reprocessed the master tapes of this broadcast, adding peak limiting and midrange boost equalization, to "punch up" the sound and reduce the dynamics for more "effective" reproduction on LP records. One imagines from the rather strange quality of this broadcast that these selfsame "LP production" tapes -- rather than raw aircheck ones -- were employed for the preparation of this CD. I am told that amateur tapes, made off the air in the New York area at 15 ips on good machines, have preserved much more vital brilliance and impact in their copies than has the source used for this CD. I even preferred my old early "plum label" Victor Red Seal mono pressing to this CD release, though of course it had ticks, pops, and inner groove distortion not present on the compact disk. Finally, I resorted to dubbing this onto tape with my own choice of correcting equalization and audio expansion, and have recovered something of the vitality I recall from the LP. But I am a fanatic...if you are a normal, sane Toscanini collector, you are likely to be perfectly satisfied with this excellent reissue which -- at its worst in the Saint-Saens' finale -- is not too much inferior to the RCA/BMG issue of the live 1952 broadcast of Toscanini's Beethoven Fourth Symphony. Otherwise, I have found about 99% of the authorized RCA/BMG Toscanini Collection CDs to sound as good as, or better than, any previous LP or CD release.

But please do not expect the organ registration to knock your socks off and trigger your subwoofer! Console yourself with the integrity and purity of the grave and eloquent Franck performance.

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