Soundbite 60: A sixty-word précis-review of the latest CD releases
Saint-Saëns
Danse macabre, Op.40
The Carnival of the Animals Zoological Fantasy*
Allegro appassionato for cello and orchestra, Op.43**
Symphony No.3 in C minor, Op.78***
Samson and Delilah Bacchanale****
John Ogdon & Brenda Lucas (pianos)*
Paul Tortelier (cello)**
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra [Christopher Robinson (organ)***]
Louis Frémaux
Orchestra of Paris Opera
Georges Prêtre****
Recordings dates and locations not documented; CBSO items produced between 1971-75 and Paris Opera taping is a 1963 production
CD No: CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 3 82233 2 Duration: 75 minutes Reviewed: January 2007
Saint-Saëns
...a sixty-word review by Colin Anderson
A winning collection of Saint-Saëns favourites Danse macabre is animated and spooky, the Carnival The Swan and other animals is vividly characterised and attentive to detail and the symphony glows with warmth and vitality, the organ integrated but majestic. The recorded sound (expertly re-mastered) can be a tad distant, but all the performers appreciate Saint-Saënss craftsmanship and fund of invention.