Track Listing

1. Symphony No. 3 in C minor ('Organ'), Op. 78: No. 1, Adagio
2. Symphony No. 3 in C minor ('Organ'), Op. 78: No. 1, Allegro Moderato
3. Symphony No. 3 in C minor ('Organ'), Op. 78: No. 1, Poco Adagio
4. Symphony No. 3 in C minor ('Organ'), Op. 78: No. 2, Allegro Moderato
5. Symphony No. 3 in C minor ('Organ'), Op. 78: No. 2, Presto
6. Symphony No. 3 in C minor ('Organ'), Op. 78: No. 2, Maestoso
7. Symphony No. 3 in C minor ('Organ'), Op. 78: No. 2, Allegro
8. Samson et Dalila, opera in 3 acts, Op. 47: Bacchanale
9. Suite alg�rienne, for orchestra in C major, Op. 60: Marche militaire fran�aise
10. Danse macabre, symphonic poem in G minor, Op. 40
11. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: No. 1, Introduction and royal march of the lion
12. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: No. 2, Cocks and hens
13. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: No. 3, Wild asses
14. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: No. 4, Tortoises
15. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: No. 5, Elephants
16. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: No. 6, Kangaroos
17. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: No. 7, Aquarium
18. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: No. 8, People with long ears
19. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: No. 9, Cuckoo in the heart of the woods
20. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: No. 10, Aviary
21. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: No. 11, Pianists
22. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: No. 12, Fossils
23. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: No. 13, The swan
24. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: No. 14, Finale

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #242974 in Music
• Released on: 1992-01-03
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
Saint-Saëns dedicated this Third Symphony to Liszt, the great pianist, and so he decided to include prominent keyboard parts in the work. Not only does it use an organ in the second and fourth movements, but there's also a prominent part for piano, sometimes for two players. Eugene Ormandy's is one of the four really great recordings of the work--both interpretively and sonically. It's also combined with spectacular performances of the sexy "Bacchanale" from Samson and Dalilah as well as the famous "Danse Macabre." With the chamber version of Carnaval thrown it, this is a fantastic bargain at budget price. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews

At this Price you may as well Take My Word For it....
Time and time again I have heard music lovers complain that technology does little justice to the art and science of recording great music; that it was done better in the old days when all we had was vinyl and that at least vinyl recorded the warmth and heart along with the performance. Finally, from listening to this recording, I understand what people mean by all of this!

I have heard coutless other recordings of this piece of music. I have heard the legend of Charles Dutoit trekking the entire Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal to a church in Ste. Eustache so as to enjoy its near-perfect acoustics and legendary organ. The recording that these sessions yeilded was carried out with the latest in contemporary recording equipment. It does not hold a candle to this recording by the Philadelphia Orchestra. I have heard it described as "banged up" and "scratchy" but I can only describe it as "warm" as if eavesdropping on the rehearsal from just beyond a wooden door. The Analog-to-Digital re-mastering is, in my humble opinion, wonderful, magical and I am all the more thankful that the great E. Power Biggs is a part of the effort.

If you decide to own a copy of this symphony, there are countless interpretations, but this is the one to own, and at this price you just can't go wrong. This is the only version that I listen to...the only version that I will listen to.

Must Hear to Believe!!!
Saint-Saens is without a doubt my favorite composer. He has been since I was eight, I could rave on and on for hours about how wonderful his works are!! It is interesting; he was accused of being stuffy and too conservative and conventional, but in fact he had a great sense of humor and it is exactly his staying with his style of music that makes him so different. This interpretation of the music, especially the Organ symphony, has a haunting and very expressive tone. Some movements sound so full and powerful and gigantic; others are so sweeping and deep that it will move you to tears. And at first I did not like the Bacchanale, but it has grown to be one of my favorite overall works of him. Also Danse Macabre is wonderfull, and the Carnival of the Animals shows the same diversity that the Organ symphony had but with more humorous touches. The Marche Militare is great for any fan of marches, not necessarily Sousa marches. I am least satisfied in interpretation with the Carnival of the Animals; I believe I have heard better, but it may be only a matter of taste. Whether you are just starting in classical music or are an avid fan, this is a great disc to add to your collection.

Good but not great Organ Symphony
Although this interpretation of the Organ Symphony delivers for the most part - delicate when needed, intense to contrast - I find that the tempo in the finale is much too quick, and races through what should be so much more grandiose. Also, the poor recording of the timpani (sounds at times like it was in another room) is especially disappointing as the last few bars sail by. A good disc for its coverage of Saint-Saens' repertoire, but the end of the Organ Symphony leaves one disappointed.