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Notes
The Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and Neeme Järvi present this unusual collection of popular works by Saint-Saëns, for orchestra and piano or cello.
Truls Mørk, this season Artist in Residence with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, is the soloist in the two contrasted cello concertos. His ‘seemingly flawless technical command’ is tested in the suave, expressive, famous No. 1 as well as in the many taxing solo passages, huge leaps, and double-stopping flourishes of No. 2.
The indefatigable duo Louis Lortie and Hélène Mercier join in the posthumously published Carnival of the Animals, after a highly successful recording of Concertos by Poulenc with Edward Gardner, Disc of the Week in The Sunday Times. They offer the original version, which features a glass harmonica (normally substituted by a glockenspiel). Louis Lortie is also the soloist in the entertaining fantasia Africa, which incorporates folk tunes of the different countries in which it was composed and which is brought off with consummate zest, as well as in the most characteristic and probably challenging of the composer’s keyboard pieces, the Caprice-Valse Wedding-cake, written for the second wedding of the composer’s virtuosic pianist friend Caroline Montigny-Rémaury.
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Reviews
"... This is certainly one of the great recordings of the concertos; both cellist and conductor seem ideal ... In all of this Mr Jarvi is his usual dependable self. He knows just what has to be done and sees to it that it is well done. The SACD sound is beautiful ..."
Donald Vroon - American Record Guide - May/June 2016
“... Under Järvi the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra is richly lyrical, playing with splendid freshness and character. I find the solo contributions exceptional with subtle colouring, beautifully textured. Recorded as recently as 2015 at Grieghallen, Bergen the sound engineers provide good clarity generally and as between soloists and orchestra... This Saint-Saëns five work collection on Chandos is exceedingly appealing; guaranteed to delight and entertain.”
Michael Cookson MusicWeb-International.com 14 March 2016
**** (Excellent Album) **** (Exceptional Sound)
Jacques Bonnaure - Classica magazine (France) – April 2016
“ Mørk plays with a warm tone and fine sense of style throughout both concertos. The additional works on the CD offer ample proof of the composer’s all-round ability. Pianists Louis Lortie and Hélène Mercier join Alasdair Malloy on glass harmonica and members of the orchestra for a joyous performance of Le Carnaval des animaux, Grande Fantaisie zoologique for Two Pianos, Flute, Clarinet, Glass Harmonica, Xylophone and Strings Two concert pieces for piano and orchestra complete a diverse and highly entertaining CD both of them showcasing the terrific talents of Louis Lortie.”
Terry Robbins – The Wholenote magazine – March-April 2016
Performance **** Recording ****
“Truls Mørk’s account of Saint-Saens’s first concerto is an object lesson in how to shape musical energy This bumper package also boasts a classy Carnival of the Animals (Hélène Mercier and Louis Lortie contributing serious skill and infectious humour ”
Helen Wallace – BBC Music magazine – March 2016
“Two of Saint-Saëns’s greatest hits are on this disc, both very well done, but it’s the relative rarities that make it stand out. Cellist Truls Mørk searches for every opportunity to make phrases speak, and his soaring playing makes the Concerto No 2 almost as memorable as the more flowing first. Louis Lorte brings a gorgeously light touch to two showpieces for piano and orchestra ” ****
Erica Jeal – The Guardian – 4 February 2016
“ The Bergen Philharmonic yet again puts on a five-star show under the hugely experienced Neeme Jãrvi. Not to be missed by anyone who likes lively romantic music with big tunes.” *****
David Mellor – The Mail on Sunday – 10 January 2016
Editor’s Choice - Orchestral
“This is one of those recordings where it seems invidious to look for faults and which just encourages you to sit back, relax, listen and wallow Lovely programme. Lovely recording. What’s not to like?
Jeremy Nicholas - Gramophone magazine - January 2016
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