Saint-saens 3rd symphony
Posted by: andrew sutton on 03 October 2005
I have just given the Barenboim/Chicago Organ Symphony (cd) a trial as it is recommended by Gramophone.
Am I the only person to find this recording disappointing?
I felt the organ was out of tune and seemed to be missing the majority of the larger pipes required for this piece.
Can anyone suggest a better effort??
Cheers Andy.
Am I the only person to find this recording disappointing?
I felt the organ was out of tune and seemed to be missing the majority of the larger pipes required for this piece.
Can anyone suggest a better effort??
Cheers Andy.
Posted on: 03 October 2005 by Derek Wright
I like the version by the San Francisco Symphony conducted by Edo De Waart, organ played by Jean Guillou recorded in the Davies Hall San Francisco.
The organ is played and recorded with gusto - my definitive version.
I also have Berlin Pilharmoniker version conducted by Karajan recorded at the notre Dame Paris and it is very disappointing.
YMMV
The organ is played and recorded with gusto - my definitive version.
I also have Berlin Pilharmoniker version conducted by Karajan recorded at the notre Dame Paris and it is very disappointing.
YMMV
Posted on: 03 October 2005 by graham55
The old RCA Living Stereo Boston SO/Muench is one of the very best ever. It's certainly my own favourite. (Incidentally, I suspect that the CD issue is about to be axed and replaced with a CD/SACD hybrid.)
Graham
Graham
Posted on: 04 October 2005 by andrew sutton
Thanks for the advice. I have just ordered a copy of the Living Stereo version from the Boston S.O.
On a similar vein i have just played Gramophone recommended Carmina Burana conducted by Jochum (DG).
I cannot say I would list it in the top 10, let alone the best.
Is this a common finding in Gramophone recommended recordings?
Cheers Andy.
On a similar vein i have just played Gramophone recommended Carmina Burana conducted by Jochum (DG).
I cannot say I would list it in the top 10, let alone the best.
Is this a common finding in Gramophone recommended recordings?
Cheers Andy.
Posted on: 04 October 2005 by graham55
Andy
You can't take every single recommendation as "gospel" but, on balance, it's usually pretty near the mark.
That said, I have the Jochum Carmina Burana, and I think that he makes a pretty good fist of a pretty bad job. I can't think that I've listened to it in the last five years, though! Not good music, in my opinion.
There will shortly be a new edition of The Penguin Stereo Record Guide (or perhaps it's called CD Guide these days) published. Once again, not infallible, but as close to it as we have any right to expect in these troubled times!
Graham
You can't take every single recommendation as "gospel" but, on balance, it's usually pretty near the mark.
That said, I have the Jochum Carmina Burana, and I think that he makes a pretty good fist of a pretty bad job. I can't think that I've listened to it in the last five years, though! Not good music, in my opinion.
There will shortly be a new edition of The Penguin Stereo Record Guide (or perhaps it's called CD Guide these days) published. Once again, not infallible, but as close to it as we have any right to expect in these troubled times!
Graham
Posted on: 04 October 2005 by Earwicker
The Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra under Stephen Gunzenhauser on Naxos are good for the money - if you MUST listen to Saint-Saens! (Not something one should admit to in public!!)
EW
EW
Posted on: 05 October 2005 by andrew sutton
Thanks again for your wisdom.
My preferred Carmina is Michel Tilson Thomas/Cleveland on vinyl.It certainly is streets ahead of Jochum! I will have to see if I can find a cd version.
Returning to Saint-Saens I am aware of the "all French composers are soppy" opinion. Looking at the threads on the Forum there are plenty of soppy music lovers about.
I'm not sure the 3rd Symphony is soppy!!
I have the Naxos 3rd and as you say not a bad job at all. Indeed Naxos turn out many good recordings which are exceptional value.
Cheers Andy.
My preferred Carmina is Michel Tilson Thomas/Cleveland on vinyl.It certainly is streets ahead of Jochum! I will have to see if I can find a cd version.
Returning to Saint-Saens I am aware of the "all French composers are soppy" opinion. Looking at the threads on the Forum there are plenty of soppy music lovers about.
I'm not sure the 3rd Symphony is soppy!!
I have the Naxos 3rd and as you say not a bad job at all. Indeed Naxos turn out many good recordings which are exceptional value.
Cheers Andy.
Posted on: 05 October 2005 by Earwicker
quote:Originally posted by andrew sutton:
I'm not sure the 3rd Symphony is soppy!!
Nor me, although other negative adjectives spring to mind!
EW
Posted on: 05 October 2005 by Cherry Garth
quote:Originally posted by Derek Wright:
I also have Berlin Pilharmoniker version conducted by Karajan recorded at the notre Dame Paris and it is very disappointing.
I agree with that!
I like City of Birmimgham S O / Louis Fremaux with Christopher Robinson on the Organ. Its available in the HMV Classics series and so a snip.
Also Barenboim / Chicago S O with Gaston Litaize on the organ. On DG but I only have it on vinyl.
Mark
Posted on: 05 October 2005 by u5227470736789439
quote:Originally posted by Earwicker.
[...]. - if you MUST listen to Saint-Saens! (Not something one should admit to in public!!)
EW
Dear EW,
I am no particular enthusiast of this Symphony, but I see no reason why others should not draw from it as much pleasure as I do from say any of the Baroque or Classical Masters' works!
Tut tut I must say at this poopooing of others' taste! When judging these things, are you sure you are confortably seated in the throne of objective truth? That was a rhetorical question!
Fredrik
Posted on: 06 October 2005 by andrew sutton
Thanks gents.
Saint-Saens 3rd is certainly at the light'n'easy end of the symphonic spectrum but I had been looking forward to a bit of foundation shaking music and was badly let down by a recommended recording.
All sniping at Saint-Saens and my taste (which is wide and varied and could not please anyone but me) is taken as a gentle tease. I will not plug me and my inputs into the mains on account of someone else's opinion!!!
Cheers Andy.
Saint-Saens 3rd is certainly at the light'n'easy end of the symphonic spectrum but I had been looking forward to a bit of foundation shaking music and was badly let down by a recommended recording.
All sniping at Saint-Saens and my taste (which is wide and varied and could not please anyone but me) is taken as a gentle tease. I will not plug me and my inputs into the mains on account of someone else's opinion!!!
Cheers Andy.
Posted on: 06 October 2005 by Earwicker
Andy,
Nice to know you take jibes in the right way - there're some right tetchy gits on this forum!!
EW
Nice to know you take jibes in the right way - there're some right tetchy gits on this forum!!
EW
Posted on: 06 October 2005 by u5227470736789439
Dear EW,
As opposed to tendentious ones, I suppose!
Fredrik
As opposed to tendentious ones, I suppose!
Fredrik
Posted on: 06 October 2005 by Deane F
quote:tendentious
Fredrik
Nice vowels.
Deane
Posted on: 07 October 2005 by kevj
Andrew,
I think that the problem you may be finding with the Barenboim is a common one in recordings of this symphony - the orchestra and organ are often recorded in different places and at different times and only put together at the remix desk. It may be worthwhile trying to find one where that is not the case.....
I think that the problem you may be finding with the Barenboim is a common one in recordings of this symphony - the orchestra and organ are often recorded in different places and at different times and only put together at the remix desk. It may be worthwhile trying to find one where that is not the case.....