Classical Music

Slatkin/St. Louis Symphony Orchestra; Carlson, soprano; Timberlake, bass. Includes Ivan the Terrible; Alexander Nevsky; Lieutenant Kije. Prokofiev's scores for Eisenstein's titanic films are beautifully reproduced here.

Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 19 and 20 & Piano Sonatas Nos.

Chopin: Études, Nocturnes & Piano Sonata No. 2

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 9 - Tchaikovsky: Piano Con

Classical Music

Classical Music

Cello Masterpieces

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Corelli: Concerti grossi, Op. 6

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Mahler: Symphony No. 2 in C Minor "Resurrection"

Classical Music

Classical Music

This stunning collection features acclaimed pianist Gabriel Tacchino performing the complete piano and orchestra compositions of Camille Saint-Saëns. Enjoy the masterful musicianship of Tacchino, accompanied by the Luxembourg Radio Orchestra. Immerse yourself in the rich and diverse soundscapes crafted by one of the greatest composers of the late Romantic era. Experience the full range of Saint-Saëns' genius with this comprehensive set.

REVIEWS:

It’s good to see this collection of Saint-Saëns piano concertos coming back in tandem with such rarities as Cyprès et Lauriers for Organ and Orchestra, the Fantaisie for Violin and Harp, La muse et le poète (for violin, cello, and orchestra), and the two small works for horn and orchestra. All are well performed and acceptably recorded, though the main attraction remains Gabrielle Tacchino’s charming way with the piano concertos. An excellent pianist in a lighter vein, his artistry might have been tailor-made for these works.

Tacchino is particularly adept at tossing off the less familiar works–Concertos Nos. 1, 3, and 5–and he understands that elegance and ease count for more than raw power in this music...if you love these works, you should have this. Froment provides decent accompaniments, and while the sonics remain a touch “tight” and dry, the overall quality is perfectly listenable and very well balanced.

-- MusicWeb International (David Hurwitz)

REVIEW:

The various soloists are a delight to listen to, and handle both powerful and sensitive passages with considerable skill. The orchestras generally play well under their individual conductors but in certain passages the horns/trombones are insecure. The background notes are more than adequate though more could have been said about the works themselves. Something should be said about the new style slim double jewel case used by Vox. The internal leaf is poorly designed and the clips, too weak to hold the discs, break off in transit. (Why redesign when an robust version exists, one wonders?)

The analogue recordings of the 70s are clear with no background noise that usually shows up in recordings of this period. The recording of the Pierné work (from 1978) is disappointing; the acoustics are particularly dry and the higher frequencies are lost. These recordings, like all previous Vox concertos reviewed, are pleasantly balanced for piano. The recording venues are not given in the notes.

-- MusicWeb International (Raymond Walker, August 2001)

Included in this impressive program is Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, Stravinsky's Three Movements from Petrushka, and Balakirev's Islamey - Oriental Fantasy. (Vox)