Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921)
Symphony in A (c.1850) [25:06]
Symphony No. 1 in E flat major Op. 2 (1853) [30:41]
Symphony No. 2 in A minor Op. 55 (1859) [22:43]
Symphony in F major Urbs Roma (1856) [40:44]
Symphony No. 3 in C minor Op. 78 Organ (1886) [36:17];
Bernard Gavoty (organ)
Orchestre National de l’ORTF/Jean Martinon
rec. Salle Wagram, Paris, June, September 1972 (1-2), September 1974 (A; F),
l’Église Saint-Louis des Invalides, Paris, January 1975 (3).
ADD
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94360 [79:06 + 77:15]
It comes as no surprise that two other numbered Symphonies precede the well-known
Organ Symphony but the existence of a further two unnumbered
works may well do so. More to the point, whilst the much later No. 3 is the
only one of the collection which might be described as an out and out masterpiece,
all four of the others are very much worth hearing for their own merits. Whilst
it is strictly accurate to describe them as early in the context of the composer’s
long life and whilst the first was written when he was only about 15 there
is no sense that these are immature or unsatisfactory. The remarkable thing
about all of them is that each movement has real character and craftsmanship.
They are certainly derivative in some aspects, reminding the listener of the
music of Mendelssohn, Schumann and Mozart in particular as well as that of
the composer’s older French contemporaries, Berlioz and Gounod. It remains
a mystery that he never won the Prix de Rome, the goal of aspiring French
composers of the nineteenth century. Much as I enjoy Bizet’s delightful
Symphony in C any of the early works here is comparable to it in quality and
enjoyable substance.
I suspect that all but the Third will have been new to the orchestra and possibly
also to the conductor when they were recorded but you would never be aware
of this from the characterful and affectionate playing. The Third also benefits
from an idiomatic and purposeful approach, with the organ well placed in relation
to the orchestra. Brief English notes by Barry Millington and longer and more
informative notes in French by Phillipe Mourgeot assist in the listener’s
enjoyment of a very worthwhile set. If you already have the composer’s
complete piano or violin concertos you will be as eager as I was to add this
set to your collection.
John Sheppard
Very much worth hearing. Real character and craftsmanship.
see also review of earlier releases by Gavin Dixon (EMI 6318042) and Rob Barnett (Brilliant Classics 92777)
Masterwork Index: Organ symphony