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Saint-Saens: Complete Piano Works Vol 2 / Geoffrey Burleson
Grand Piano

Saint-Saens: Complete Piano Works Vol 2 / Geoffrey Burleson

$19.99

Details

Composer
SAINT-SAENS, CAMILLE
Artist
Geoffrey Burleson
Format
CD
Label
Grand Piano
Released
May 29, 2012
Catalog #
GP605
UPC
747313960521

About



SAINT-SAËNS Allegro after the Third Concerto. Suite, op. 90. Allegro appassionato, op. 70. Thème varié, op. 97. 6 Fugues, op. 161 • Geoffrey Burleson (pn) • GRAND PIANO 605 (53:38)


The piano works of Saint-Saëns are some of the forgotten gems in the pianist’s possible repertoire. Being that the composer was one of the finest pianists in the second half of the 19th century, not only is the music well written for the instrument, it is, at its best, some of the composer’s most finessed and engaging. The current program features pieces written throughout the composer’s career, from the virtuosic transcription of the concerto movement and the Thème varié —both written for piano contests—to the more lighthearted and neoclassical suite. In general, Saint-Saëns’s music necessitates a virtuosic technique; he requires the pianist to maintain lucid textures, careful pedaling, sparkling passagework, and meticulous attention to articulation. In general, Geoffrey Burleson does an admirable job handling all of the many inherent difficulties of this music—just a quick glance at the theme and variations is enough to scare most pianists. What feels right about this program, moreover, is that the pieces are arranged in a way that makes one feel that one is listening to a recital, rather than just a second installment of the complete piano works of this composer. (This volume is just that. The first in the series was reviewed by Lynn René Bayley in Fanfare 35:6.)


The hyper-virtuosic Allegro, op. 29, opens the program. Though Burleson becomes a bit too heavy in some instances and dry in others (a little more pedal here and there might have helped in bringing out details of shifted orchestration on the piano) one can hardly complain about such a fine reading otherwise. The suite, while lighter in mood, contains some very fine moments, from the improvisatory-sounding Prelude to the lively and bouncy Gavotte. Burleson obviously relishes this little masterpiece. The real stars of this program for me, however, are the Thème varié and the fugues. Burleson does a fine job of maintaining a feeling of pulse throughout the entire op. 97, from the simple chorale theme to the more complex figuration in the variations—double notes, arpeggios, octaves, leaps, and the like! The pianist (who is also the author of some fine booklet notes) describes the Six Fugues, op. 161, as “a suite of dynamic character pieces.” I couldn’t agree more. Though one can play them as simple academic etudes, whether studies in composition or instrumental technique, Burleson shows them to be true musical masterpieces, from the quasi-prelude first, through the sprightly and lively third, to the longest and climactic final one. Indeed, performing them as a set just makes sense here. And with performances of these fugues as engaging as the music itself, one can only hope that this release may spur more pianists to play this music. As there is little competition in this repertoire, I am surely glad to add such a fine release to my collection. If you do not know this music, go out and grab this recording. Saint-Saëns is not one to disappoint.


FANFARE: Scott Noriega

Tracklist 13 tracks

  1. 1 Piano Concerto No. 3 in E-Flat Major, Op. 29: I. Moderato assai - Più mosso (Allegro maestoso) (arr. for solo piano) 10:19
    Track
    1
    Title
    Piano Concerto No. 3 in E-Flat Major, Op. 29: I. Moderato assai - Più mosso (Allegro maestoso) (arr. for solo piano)
    Duration
    10:19
    Composer
    Camille Saint-Saëns
    Performer
    Geoffrey Burleson
  2. 2 I. Prelude et Fugue 03:08
    Track
    2
    Title
    I. Prelude et Fugue
    Duration
    03:08
    Composer
    Camille Saint-Saëns
    Performer
    Geoffrey Burleson
  3. 3 II. Menuet 03:40
    Track
    3
    Title
    II. Menuet
    Duration
    03:40
    Composer
    Camille Saint-Saëns
    Performer
    Geoffrey Burleson
  4. 4 III. Gavotte 02:13
    Track
    4
    Title
    III. Gavotte
    Duration
    02:13
    Composer
    Camille Saint-Saëns
    Performer
    Geoffrey Burleson
  5. 5 IV. Gigue 02:09
    Track
    5
    Title
    IV. Gigue
    Duration
    02:09
    Composer
    Camille Saint-Saëns
    Performer
    Geoffrey Burleson
  6. 6 Allegro appassionato in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 70 (version for piano) 05:44
    Track
    6
    Title
    Allegro appassionato in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 70 (version for piano)
    Duration
    05:44
    Composer
    Camille Saint-Saëns
    Performer
    Geoffrey Burleson
  7. 7 Theme varie, Op. 97 06:56
    Track
    7
    Title
    Theme varie, Op. 97
    Duration
    06:56
    Composer
    Camille Saint-Saëns
    Performer
    Geoffrey Burleson
  8. 8 No. 1. Allegro moderato 04:05
    Track
    8
    Title
    No. 1. Allegro moderato
    Duration
    04:05
    Composer
    Camille Saint-Saëns
    Performer
    Geoffrey Burleson
  9. 9 No. 2. Poco allegro-grazioso 02:59
    Track
    9
    Title
    No. 2. Poco allegro-grazioso
    Duration
    02:59
    Composer
    Camille Saint-Saëns
    Performer
    Geoffrey Burleson
  10. 10 No. 3. Allegretto 02:39
    Track
    10
    Title
    No. 3. Allegretto
    Duration
    02:39
    Composer
    Camille Saint-Saëns
    Performer
    Geoffrey Burleson
  11. 11 No. 4. Allegro moderato 02:51
    Track
    11
    Title
    No. 4. Allegro moderato
    Duration
    02:51
    Composer
    Camille Saint-Saëns
    Performer
    Geoffrey Burleson
  12. 12 No. 5. Andantino quasi allegretto 02:28
    Track
    12
    Title
    No. 5. Andantino quasi allegretto
    Duration
    02:28
    Composer
    Camille Saint-Saëns
    Performer
    Geoffrey Burleson
  13. 13 No. 6. Maestoso, poco allegro 04:49
    Track
    13
    Title
    No. 6. Maestoso, poco allegro
    Duration
    04:49
    Composer
    Camille Saint-Saëns
    Performer
    Geoffrey Burleson