Saint-Saëns: Les 5 Symphonies
List Price:
Our Price: $11.03
You Save: $6.95 (39%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: Music CD
See more new music releases
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Music CD Cover
Composer: Camille Saint-SaensConductor: Jean Martinon
Orchestra: ORTF National Orchestra
Performer: Bernard Gavoty
Edition: Music CD
Format: Import
CD Release Date: 2005-07-13
Music Label: EMI Classics France
Soundtracks:
Music CD 1
- Symphony in A major: 1. Poco adagio - Allegro vivace
- Symphony in A major: 2. Andantino
- Symphony in A major: 3. Scherzo vivace
- Symphony in A major: 4. Finale: Allegro molto - Presto
- Symphony No. 1 in E flat major, Op. 2: 1. Adagio - Allegro
- Symphony No. 1 in E flat major, Op. 2: 2. Marche - Scherzo: Allegro scherzando
- Symphony No. 1 in E flat major, Op. 2: 3. Adagio
- Symphony No. 1 in E flat major, Op. 2: 4. Finale: Allegro maestoso
- Symphony No. 2 in A minor, Op. 55: 1. Allegro marcato - Allegro appassionato
- Symphony No. 2 in A minor, Op. 55: 2. Adagio
- Symphony No. 2 in A minor, Op. 55: 3. Scherzo: Presto
- Symphony No. 2 in A minor, Op. 55: 4. Prestissimo
- Symphony in F major ('Urbs Roma'): 1. Largo - Allegro
- Symphony in F major ('Urbs Roma'): 2. Molto vivace
- Symphony in F major ('Urbs Roma'): 3. Moderato assai serioso
- Symphony in F major ('Urbs Roma'): 4. Poco allegretto - Andante con moto
- Symphony No. 3 in C minor ('Organ'), Op. 78: 1. Adagio - Allegretto maestoso - Poco adagio
- Symphony No. 3 in C minor ('Organ'), Op. 78: 2. Allegro moderato - Presto - Maestoso - Più allegro
Free Music Notes for Saint-Saëns: Les 5 Symphonies
Free Music Review: The Other Four Symphonies
Hit: 5 Stars
The word "symphony" comes with a lot of baggage, biases, and expectations. For many, a symphony must follow in the grand tradition of struggle, doubt, and triumph (or doom) that Beethoven instigated, and Mahler propelled into the 20th century. Yet a lighter, though no less important definition of the symphony often gets lost in the process, an elegant, graceful tradition reaching back to Boccherini and Haydn, to say nothing of Mozart. Because of this, the lighter symphonists of the 19th century, great figures like Saint-Saens, Bruch, Glazunov, Kalinnikov, etc., are often dismissed or disparaged. There is very little struggle here, and even less philosophy; they are simply charming works of masterful orchestration and breathtaking melodies. Saint-Saens Five Symphonies are an excellent case in point: each one is vital to understanding the composer's style and development, and each is well-worth getting to know and enjoy over the years.
His first effort, the Symphony in A Major, written as a teenager, is delightful; it is a perfect twin to Bizet's youthful symphony; indeed, you can almost imagine them writing their respective symphonies to complete the same homework assignment. The first movement is wonderful--like one of Mozart's symphony-overtures (No.32, for example). Yet what a leap in maturity we find in the actual Symphony No.1, which is charming, sophisticated, and surprisingly tuneful. If you don't know this piece, and have zero expectations for an unknown Saint-Saens symphony, this piece can bowl you over. It's truly evergreen, and never wears out its welcome.
The following three symphonies, including the very well-known "Organ" symphony are even more mature. Besides the Third Symphony, my favorite is the surprisingly powerful Symphony in F Major, subtitled "Urbs Roma." Saint-Saens withdrew this piece, his true Third Symphony, which is an incredible shame. No symphony without a number will ever really enter orchestral circulation. And what a pity: the first movement surges with Schumanesque power, and the scherzo is phenomenal--what a find! A beautiful slow movement and quicksilver finale rounds out a symphony that I've listened to over and over, and am consistently astonished by. The Second Symphony is his most assured (next to the Third), and is impeccable. Beautiful orchestration, themes, and construction. It's a bit less personal and reserved than the "Urbs Roma" symphony, channeling something of the classical demeanor of his Cello Concerto No.1. The first movement is dark and dramatic (though not in a very brooding way), and is followed by a gentle, almost imperceptible slow movement (again, like the slow movement of the Cello Concerto). A tempestuous scherzo follows, which is enveloped by a romping, cheerful finale with a great tune.
Since it's pointless to gush over the merits of his greatest symphony, I'll stop here. Do get to know these great symphonies of a largely forgotten symphonic master, albeit in the gentler, more lyrical tradition. These works make a great complement to Bruch's Three Symphonies, or Kalinnikov's First and Second, not to mention Bizet's popular work.
A final note: Martinon's conducting is superb, balanced, and heart-warming. He believes in this music and inhabits every bar. He's a wonderful conductor, surprising me here no less than in his great Prokofiev cycle for Vox.
Classical Music CDs
Music Genres
Top music charts in Classical Music CDs
Winterscapesby London Philharmonic
Prophetic Voice; Published: 2000-07; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $2.74
Price in other shops:
The Queen, the Bear, and the Bumblebeeby Dini Petty
Childrens Group; Published: 2001-03; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $13.40
Price in other shops:
Classical Kids - Beethoven Lives Upstairs CdrRelease date: 2000-04-05; Music CD
Best price: $25.98
Tchaikovsky (Life and Works (Naxos))by Malcolm Sinclair, Jeremy Siepmann
Naxos; Published: 2003-11; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $35.99
![Jose Carreras - Jubileum Concert [VHS] Image](/images/Jose-Carreras-Jubileum-Concert-VHS-1584481471-X.jpg){kind=small}
Jose Carreras - Jose Carreras - Jubileum Concert [VHS]Sling Shot; Release date: 2000-04-18; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $5.87
Price in other shops:
![Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker / Nureyev, Park, Royal Ballet [VHS] Image](/images/Tchaikovsky-The-Nutcracker-Nureyev-Park-Royal-Ballet-VHS-156127092X-X.jpg){kind=small}
Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker / Nureyev, Park, Royal Ballet [VHS]Kultur Video; Release date: 1997-09-09; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $29.94
Price in other shops:
![Lonely Town Lonley Street / Sergeant's Early Dream [VHS] Image](/images/Lonely-Town-Lonley-Street-Sergeant-Early-Dream-VHS-1561270857-X.jpg){kind=small}
Rambert Dance Company - Lonely Town Lonley Street / Sergeant's Early Dream [VHS]Kultur Video; Release date: 1997-10-28; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $24.99
Price in other shops:
Winter Music: Composing the Northby John Luther Adams
Wesleyan; Published: 2004-11-10; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $23.62
Price in other shops:
![Puccini - La Fanciulla del West / Santi, Domingo, Neblett, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS] Image](/images/Puccini-La-Fanciulla-del-West-Santi-Domingo-Neblett-Royal-Opera-Covent-Garden-VHS-0769720382-X.jpg){kind=small}
Puccini - La Fanciulla del West / Santi, Domingo, Neblett, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS]Kultur Video; Release date: 1999-05-25; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
![Verdi - Falstaff / Giulini, Bruson, Ricciarelli, Nucci, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS] Image](/images/Verdi-Falstaff-Giulini-Bruson-Ricciarelli-Nucci-Royal-Opera-Covent-Garden-VHS-0769720358-X.jpg){kind=small}
Verdi - Falstaff / Giulini, Bruson, Ricciarelli, Nucci, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS]Kultur Video; Release date: 1999-05-25; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $12.95
Price in other shops:
Top Rated Albums
Saint-Saëns: The Complete Works for Piano & OrchestraRelease date: 2001-10-09; Music CD
Best price: $30.52
Price in other shops:
Saint-Saëns: Carnival of the Animals; Organ SymphonyRelease date: 2003-04-15; Music CD
Best price: $2.93
Price in other shops:
Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies; 7 OverturesRelease date: 2002-05-14; Music CD
Best price: $16.79
Price in other shops:
![Bruckner: 9 Symphonies [Box Set] Image](/images/Bruckner-9-Symphonies-Box-Set-B001DCQI8W-X.jpg)
Bruckner: 9 Symphonies [Box Set]Release date: 2008-11-18; Music CD
Best price: $22.80
Price in other shops:
Saint-Saëns: ConcertosRelease date: 1991-01-18; Music CD
Best price: $4.37
Price in other shops:
Bruch: Symphonies 1-3, Concerto for 2 PianosRelease date: 2009-03-24; Music CD
Best price: $6.85
Price in other shops:
Rachmaninov: The SymphoniesRelease date: 1998-02-10; Music CD
Best price: $14.57
Price in other shops:
Saint-Saëns: Piano Concertos 1-5Release date: 1995-05-16; Music CD
Best price: $10.57
Price in other shops:
Saint-Saëns: Piano Concertos 1-5; Wedding Cake Caprice-ValseRelease date: 2005-02-15; Music CD
Best price: $6.77
Price in other shops:
Saint-Saëns: Danse MacabreSAINT-SAENS,C.; Release date: 1992-05-12; Music CD
Best price: $5.84
Price in other shops: