Search - Alain Clement, Charles Gounod, Camille Saint-Saens :: Gounod: Messe Chorale; Saint-Saëns; Mass, Op. 4

Interesting and likeable

John Triplett | Meridian, MS United States | 12/10/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I had recently developed some interest in Saint-Saens, and was in the process of getting some stuff by him, when I came across this disk. I pretty much bought it on a whim--if I didn't like it, I wouldn't be out much.



I found the disk on a whole to be immediately enjoyable, with clear and well balanced chorale work, and the choirs balanced well with the organs. The organ work itself is very nicely done, with the exception of a few shanked notes in the Sanctus movement by Saint-Saens. With regards to the compositions themselves, i actually like the Gounod mass a little more that the S.S. It is (as the liner notes also state) a thematically unified piece, well thought out and logically constructed. The theme itself is very simple but memorable, and is actually beautifully developed instrumentally. The S.S. mass is much more thematically diverse, although completely French in sound, and definitely recongizeable as S.S. The Gloria is fanfarish in nature, while the Credo is given S.S.'s signature pseudo-medieval-modal harmony style. The Sanctus ends in a dance rhythmed soli/tutti dialogue.



Four stars for two works which are completely religious and functional in nature (which is a style i am quite fond of...) and are therefore rather meager in development and scope. These are simply not major or 'important' works, but, as already stated, are very enjoyable in their own rite (pun). I certainly don't feel that i am out anything on these, and in fact I do like them and listen to them from time to time. Technically, they are very well produced and leave very little to be desired from a sound engineering viewpoint. For those enjoy church music/chorale music, I can definitely recommend this.



If you are trying to decide between this and the Cantate release, this is the clear choice. The cantate version of the S.S. is rather dissapointing..."