| Saint-Saens Symphony No. 3 in C minor,
“Organ”, Op. 78 a. Allegro appassionato in B minor, Op. 43 b.
Le carnaval des animaux c. b Paul Tortelier (vc); c John
Ogdon, c Brenda Lucas (pfs); a Christpher
Robinson (org); City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra / Louis Fremaux. |
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| EMI Eminence (Mid price) (Cassette)
TC-EMX2259; (CD) CD-EMX2259 (62 minutes: ADD). Item marked a
from Columbia TWO404 (2/73), b HMV ASD3058 (7/75), c ASD2753 (2/72). |
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Originally issued in quadraphonic sound, and
sumptuously recorded, Fremaux’s recording of the Saint-Saens Third Symphony was among
the most highly regarded versions of the analogue era. The account has plenty of vitality
(the first movement is attractively fresh and spirited) and there is plenty of romantic
warmth in the glowing Poco adagio. No disappointments at the spectacular organ
entry, nor in the way Fremaux draws together the threads of the last movement for a
satisfying coda. The CD remastering retains most of the opulence.
Above all this is a good humoured performance and
that is the quality missing from the Ogdon/ Lucas version of the Carnaval des animaux.
The recording detail is admirable but the overall effect is neither particularly gracious
nor light-hearted. Tortelier’s fine account of the Allegro appassionato makes
an attractive interlude after the symphony and it was a pity that EMI did not choose also
to include his engaging account of “Le cygne” (with harp accompaniment) as a
bonus, as there was plenty of room for it, and the account of this vignette in the
complete Carnaval is a bit deadpan.
IM