Piano Concerto No. In D Major, Op. 17: I Andante -- Allegro assai
Piano Concerto No. In D Major, Op. 17: II Andante sostenuto quasi adagio
Piano Concerto No. In D Major, Op. 17: III Allegro con fuoco
Piano Concerto No. 2 In G Minor, Op. 22: I Andante sostenuto
Piano Concerto No. 2 In G Minor, Op. 22: II Allegro Scherzando
Piano Concerto No. 2 In G Minor, Op. 22: III Presto
Piano Concerto No. 3 In E Flat Major, Op. 29: I Moderato assai - Piu mosso (Allegro maestoso)
Track Listings (7) - Disc #2
Piano Concerto No. 3 In E Flat Major, Op. 29: II Andante
Piano Concerto No. 3 In E Flat Major, Op. 29: III Allegro non troppo
Piano Concerto No. 4 In C Minor, Op. 44: I Allegro moderato
Piano Concerto No. 4 In C Minor, Op. 44: II Allegro vivace
Piano Concerto No. 5 In F Major, Op. 103: I Allegro animato
Piano Concerto No. 5 In F Major, Op. 103: II Andante
Piano Concerto No. 5 In F Major, Op. 103: III Molto allegro
There is a lot of really enjoyable music here. I remember organizing a performance of the Fifth Piano Concerto (subtitled "The Egyptian") when I was repertoire committee chairman for a local community orchestra. We foun... more »d it not only very playable for all of us amateurs in the orchestra, but it simply blew the audience away. It's a real find. Both the Second and Fourth concertos have been popular favorites for more than a century, but they seemed to have vanished sight in the past couple of decades. It was our loss, but no more. And the Fifth Piano Concerto, even when played by amateurs, can blow an audience away. At two discs for the price of one, these fine performances offer listeners a great chance to know this charming and vivacious music at little or no risk at all. So why hesitate? --David Hurwitz« less
There is a lot of really enjoyable music here. I remember organizing a performance of the Fifth Piano Concerto (subtitled "The Egyptian") when I was repertoire committee chairman for a local community orchestra. We found it not only very playable for all of us amateurs in the orchestra, but it simply blew the audience away. It's a real find. Both the Second and Fourth concertos have been popular favorites for more than a century, but they seemed to have vanished sight in the past couple of decades. It was our loss, but no more. And the Fifth Piano Concerto, even when played by amateurs, can blow an audience away. At two discs for the price of one, these fine performances offer listeners a great chance to know this charming and vivacious music at little or no risk at all. So why hesitate? --David Hurwitz
"Looking at the other reviews here, I can only nod in complete agreement. Saint-Saëns is an underrated composer and these 5 concertos are joyful, seductive and deserving of a lot more attention than they have received. Saint-Saëns, like Mendelssohn, had the ability to instantly inspire happiness in the listener, this listener anyhow. Yes, the 2nd and 4th occasionally do get an airing, but the "Eqyptian" (the 5th) is every bit their equal and the remaining two concertos certainly have their own merits. The five deserve a double disc outing like this.The performances here are very, very fine indeed. I have not heard the Collard/Previn versions (which are referred to in another review), although I have several versions of the 2nd and 4th. Charles Dutoit and Pascal Roge do a wonderful job, investing these performances with the affection and conviction they deserve. True, there is more of the virtuoso than the philosopher about Roge's playing, but that is entirely appropriate to Saint-Saëns. This is feel-good music (and music-making) of the very highest callibre.Returning to these discs is always a pleasure for me and I hope will be for you. If you have even a passing interest in late Romantic piano concertos treat yourself to these."
Sparkling, and no reservations!
Michael Newberry | Santa Monica | 12/24/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If lovely melodies, crystal-clear sound, wonderful pacing do not interest you...then, do not buy these CDs, otherwise, go for it. Charles Dutoit does it again, he brings freshness, intelligence, drive, and, above all, incredible sound to this music. This is my first listening experience with Pascal Roge, he plays with deftness, charm, and, I think, with an appropreiate amount of romanticism. I had not heard four of the Concertos, and it is exciting to discover something new and unexpected. One of my favorite recordings!"
Listen to Collard and Previn also
Niall | 12/06/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I put the Roge/Dutoit up against the Collard/Previn/RPO with headphones and preferred the latter. Both sets are very nice, but the Collard has more depth, character and detail especially with headphones. The Collard is lighter and more elegant with the delicate passages sounding more delicate, while the Roge is louder and more forceful. The piano seems cleaner and more up front with the digital recording of Collard as compared to the analog recording of Roge."
Outstanding.
teva_man | United States | 11/24/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Having listened to other recordings, plus hearing live ones, of Concerto #2 (the most popular) for 15 years, it was nice to hear the entire pentalogy of the Saint-Saens piano concerti.
Pascal Roge may not be as big a name as Martha Argerich or
Vladimir Ashkenazy, but he certainly knows how to play the piano.
There isn't a dull moment in any of them. Roge captures all the youthful exuberance in the musically-straightforward 1st concerto. The 5th concerto (often called "The Egyptian concerto") is definitely the best of the lot. The tonal coloring is exquisite throughout, especially in the 'Nile River' 2nd movement and the boisterous finale. I could listen to it all day. The 3rd and 4th concerti are fine; these are musically less interesting than the other three. The orchestra is equally virtuosic and never oversteps its bounds, under the guidance of Dutoit. Highly recommended."
Irresistable
Michael Newberry | 09/30/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I never tire of this set, which sparkles from beginning to end. The first is particularly irresistable with an exhuberant opening, a beautiful and tense adagio and a thrilling conclusion. I won't comment on the others except to say they are also fine Romantic piano concertos. A great introduction to Saint-Saens' music (but don't miss the magnificent 3rd symphony) or even as an introduction to classical music.Kudos to Dutoit, Roge and of course Saint-Saens! Although he is very well known, this is another example of why Saint-Saens is one of the most under-appreciated composers of all time. Just my $0.02..."