Basic 100 Volume 42 - Saint-Saëns, Dukas / Fox, Ormandy

On this CD:

1. Symphony No. 3 ("Organ"), in C minor, Op. 78
Composed by Camille Saint-Saens
Performed by Philadelphia Orchestra with Virgil Fox
Conducted by Eugene Ormandy

2. The Sorcerer's Apprentice, for orchestra
Composed by Paul [composer] Dukas
Performed by Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Eduardo Mata

3. Danse macabre, symphonic poem in G minor, Op. 40
Composed by Camille Saint-Saens
Performed by Boston Pops Orchestra
Conducted by Arthur Fiedler

4. Samson et Dalila, opera in 3 acts, Op. 47 Bacchanale
Composed by Camille Saint-Saens
Performed by Boston Pops Orchestra
Conducted by Arthur Fiedler

Tracks:

Symphony No. 3, 'Organ': Adagio, Allegro Moderato
Symphony No. 3, 'Organ': Poco adagio
Symphony No. 3, 'Organ': Allegro moderato
Symphony No. 3, 'Organ': Maestoso, Allegro
The Sorcerer's Apprentice - Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Danse Macabre - Boston Pops Orchestra
Samson And Delilah: Bacchanale - Boston Pops Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

Best recording for your money!.......1998-10-13

RCA Victor presents Saint-Saëns Symphony No. 3, Danse Macabre, and Bacchanale from Samson and Delilha, as well as the infamous Dukas hit "The Sorcerer's Apprentice".

Symphony No. 3 is quite the musical roller coaster, taking you from sweeping action pieces to tranquil serenity, topped with a powerful punching finale. The suite is, in my opinion, one of the most overlooked orchestral masterpieces.

Dukas' "Sorcerer" is a familiar tune for anyone who has seen Fantasia. The piece is very fitting to be in this collection of recordings.

Saint-Saëns Danse Macabre stirs images of the dead rising from their graves and partying the night away... well partying like it's 1845 anyway. Granted the piece was done in the early 20th century, but it has a firm Victorian flair.

The final piece from Samson and Delilah has an appropriate Egyptian air and is a great example of how the composer could create mood.

All the pieces by Saint-Saëns on this excellent collection can spark imagination and inspire the creative. I have owned this CD for quite a while and find it still to be superior to any other recording of the same pieces I have purchased. Saint-Saëns is by far my favorite composer, but that does not influence my opinion that Ormandy, Virgil Fox, and Arthur Fiedler have made this piece not only breathe but sing.

Trivia: Saint-Saëns Symphony No. 3 Movement 4 was the foundation for the soundtrack of "Babe"(Universal Pictures)

Music Review: