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Graham's review of this disc does not in any way match my own experience. For us it is a tired, lacklustre performance lacking drive, inspiration or passion and certainly not helped by a recording that is dense, two dimensional and poorly defined, in fact probably amongst the blandest sounding SACD of my experience. In frustration we played the CD layer afterward and then once more interchanging works between formats. There is very little to choose between them, a very close call in fact.
5/10 for performance, 5/10 for recording is the best we could offer.
My advice? Tread very carefully. Buy only if you want these early, rare works in your collection, otherwise wait for the next bus...
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hiredfox said:
Graham's review of this disc does not in any way match my own experience. For us it is a tired, lacklustre performance lacking drive, inspiration or passion and certainly not helped by a recording that is dense, two dimensional and poorly defined, in fact probably amongst the blandest sounding SACD of my experience. In frustration we played the CD layer afterward and then once more interchanging works between formats. There is very little to choose between them, a very close call in fact.
5/10 for performance, 5/10 for recording is the best we could offer.
My advice? Tread very carefully. Buy only if you want these early, rare works in your collection, otherwise wait for the next bus...
Problem is, I kind of doubt these will be recorded any time soon by someone else so waiting for the next bus may take a good long while.
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Post by srl1 June 8, 2012 (3 of 5)
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I have the 24/96 stereo hires download (the SACD is on order), and I have to agree with the original reviewer. I'm not much of a Jarvi fan, but this recording shows him more engaged than usual. The orchestra is alert. The players are expressive. There is a good spread, depth and air to the sonic presentation. Although it sounds a little more like traditional Chandos recordings than the wonderful Debussy release with the same orchestra, it still sounds very good. All-in-all, a delightful disc.
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It's not the greatest in the world, but it's enjoyable. The March Millitaire Fracaise is pretty hohum, but on the other hand, Danse Macabre is very good, and the Bacchanale is still I'd rate a 'positive'. The rest of the disc is rarities that even as a big Saint-Saens fan I only have one recording of (or none in the case of the coronation march), and I found no displeasure with any of them.
Sound is a bit on the less side though, I do agree....dunno what's up with that.
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Post by Links June 18, 2012 (5 of 5)
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And a positive review:
"The performances are first-class in their brio, sympathy and sensitivity, Ralph Couzens's sound is top-drawer (audiophiles will be drooling), and the music consistently skilled (both in invention and scoring), enjoyable and memorable. This is a superb release on every count."
Colin Anderson
http://www.classicalsource.com/db_control/db_cd_review.php?id=10224
If you are looking for Saint-Saens exotic touch of castanets in the Bacchanale,
the player was given the day off as he would never be heard in this bombastic interpretation.
One other SACD option is Classics at the Pops - Erich Kunzel on Telarc,
castanets yes, but performance is limp.
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