SAINT-SAENS: COMPLETE SYMPHONIES - Latry, Macelaru, Orchestra National de France (3 CDs)

In a release that marks the centenary of Camille Saint-Saëns' death in December 1921, the Orchestre National de France, conducted by it's music director Cristian Măcelaru, performs the composer's five symphonies: Nos 1, 2 and 3 and two unnumbered works, the early Symphony in A major and the Symphony in F major, 'Urbs Roma'. The works span some 35 years of the composer's dazzling career - from around 1850, when he was 15, to 1886, the year that the Symphony No 3 was premiered. By far the best known of the five, No 3 famously complements the orchestra with an organ, played on this new recording by Olivier Latry.


1 Symphony in a Major: I. Poco Adagio. Allegro Vivace
2 Symphony in a Major: II. Larghetto
3 Symphony in a Major: III. Scherzo (Allegro Vivace)
4 Symphony in a Major: IV. Finale. Allegro Molto. Presto
5 Symphony No. 1 in E-Flat Major, Op. 2: I. Adagio. Allegro
6 Symphony No. 1 in E-Flat Major, Op. 2: II. Marche. Scherzo
7 Symphony No. 1 in E-Flat Major, Op. 2: III. Adagio
8 Symphony No. 1 in E-Flat Major, Op. 2: IV. Finale. Allegro Maestoso
- Disc 2 -
1 Symphony in F Major "Urbs Roma": I. Largo - Allegro
2 Symphony in F Major "Urbs Roma": II. Molto Vivace
3 Symphony in F Major "Urbs Roma": III. Moderato Assai Serioso
4 Symphony in F Major "Urbs Roma": IV. Poco Allegretto. Andante Con Moto
- Disc 3 -
1 Symphony No. 2 in a Minor, Op. 55: I. Allegro Marcato. Allegro Appassionato
2 Symphony No. 2 in a Minor, Op. 55: II. Adagio
3 Symphony No. 2 in a Minor, Op. 55: III. Scherzo. Presto
4 Symphony No. 2 in a Minor, Op. 55: IV. Prestissimo
5 Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 78 "Organ Symphony": I. (A) Adagio - Allegro Moderato
6 Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 78 "Organ Symphony": I. (B) Poco Adagio
7 Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 78 "Organ Symphony": II. (A) Allegro Moderato - Presto
8 Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 78 "Organ Symphony": II. (B) Maestoso. Allegro