Search - Camille Saint-Saens, Herbert von Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra :: Saint-Saëns: Symphony No.3/Organ/Orgel Symphonie/Ave Orgue

An incredible recording of the Organ Symphony

Trevor Gillespie | San Jose, California United States | 06/01/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have in fact heard a number of recordings of the Organ symphony including James Levine, Lorin Maazel among many others. Upon hearing this version, my mind has been made up that it is my favorite recording. Von Karajan commands a wonderful balance from the orchestra. The strings pervade the work, and one clearly sees the classical style that Saint Saens held on to, although he composed in more of what I would call a romantic classical style. Anyway, the strings are the highlight of this recording: lush, together, brilliant"

Magnificent recording, but...

Matthew | Greenfield, Indiana | 09/16/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Everything the other reviewers have said is true. This recording can only be described in superlatives. However, the work is only 38 minutes long! That's less than half the CD! I grant that the picture on the cover is very cool, but you'll get more of your money's worth if you buy the set of Ravel, Debussy, and Saint-Saëns from the Karajan Forever series (if you don't mind the "Nature Boy Karajan" picture on the cover of that set). Same recording of the organ symphony, other great stuff, less money."

Karajan Gold

Daniel L. Ayala | Columbia, SC United States | 12/19/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD comes from the collection of Karajan Gold digital recordings that he did late in life. This recording among many others in the series establishes Karajan as the Music Director of Europe. Until his dying day, he was in top shape. This performance of the beautiful organ symphony can be tricky in trying to achieve the balance between the organ and the orchestra. However, Karajan masterfully keeps that balance and the effects are magical. Never have i head an organ thunder as in the opening of the last movement. This truly is a recording that cannot be beat. If you like the Karajan gold series, do not hesitate to pick up his recording of the Strauss Eine Alpinsonfie as well."