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Topic: Saint-Saens  (Read 2191 times)

Offline comme_le_vent

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Saint-Saens
on: January 25, 2004, 04:12:05 AM
What do you people think of his 2nd piano concerto?
its my favourite piano concerto of all.
the 1st movemement is tremendously emotional and dramatic - with incredible climaxes in the middle and at the end.
the 2nd mvt is a superbly joyful and playful romp(love that word) with one of the most wonderfully catchy tunes ever composed
the 3rd movement is an aggressive, dramatic and exciting finale- with a ballbustingly angry finish. BANG!

I love stephen hough's recording in particular - its amazingly emotional , with perfect technique.
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Offline liszmaninopin

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Re: Saint-Saens
Reply #1 on: January 25, 2004, 04:24:31 PM
You certainly enjoy power in music, don't you?  I do too, but have you ever listened to music with more subtle emotional qualities than fortissississ..........imo? ;)
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Offline thracozaag

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Re: Saint-Saens
Reply #2 on: January 25, 2004, 07:42:55 PM
Quote
What do you people think of his 2nd piano concerto?
its my favourite piano concerto of all.
the 1st movemement is tremendously emotional and dramatic - with incredible climaxes in the middle and at the end.
the 2nd mvt is a superbly joyful and playful romp(love that word) with one of the most wonderfully catchy tunes ever composed
the 3rd movement is an aggressive, dramatic and exciting finale- with a ballbustingly angry finish. BANG!

I love stephen hough's recording in particular - its amazingly emotional , with perfect technique.


 The 2nd is overplayed, but a highly effective piece.  I would also recommend the Gilels and Sokolov recordings.  The 4th and 5th (Egyptian) concertos are excellent as well.
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Offline e60m5

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Re: Saint-Saens
Reply #3 on: January 25, 2004, 11:26:57 PM

I'm also a huge fan of the Gilels recording. Moiseiwitsch also has a great recording out.
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Offline comme_le_vent

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Re: Saint-Saens
Reply #4 on: January 26, 2004, 10:53:44 PM
OVERPLAYED?!?!? me thinks not, i like the other concertos but this is my no1.
this piece has plenty subtlety btw, listen to it!

and thanks , ill check out those recordings
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Offline scriabinsmyman

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Re: Saint-Saens
Reply #5 on: March 21, 2004, 08:41:07 AM
SaintSaens 2nd is the concerto i perform most frequently...liszmaninchopin-yes, it has the fortissimos....but very deep emotion, esp in the 1st movement!!  comme_le_vent: there's a decent recording of me w/ the dayton philharmonic, if you're interested
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Offline alkanite

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Re: Saint-Saens
Reply #6 on: March 23, 2004, 02:47:52 AM
One of my favourite concerti.  Saw Yefim Bronfman perform it in Toronto last year and was amazed at how delicate his 2nd movement was and diabolically fast he was in the 3rd.  Fastest I've heard, including the above mentioned recordings.  Pleasantly surprised I guess.

I also like it because its very playable - you should have fun playing a concerto - and he wrote it so we could.
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Offline comme_le_vent

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Re: Saint-Saens
Reply #7 on: March 23, 2004, 06:00:29 AM
yeah, aside from fast arpeggios - its easy.

again - i love this concerto!
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Offline anda

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Re: Saint-Saens
Reply #8 on: March 23, 2004, 04:34:18 PM
i love the third part especially, but try 5th - it's so much more complex, it's wonderful
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Offline comme_le_vent

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Re: Saint-Saens
Reply #9 on: March 23, 2004, 06:10:55 PM
yeah the 5th is my 2nd favourite, but the emotion isnt quite as profound as the 2nd - especially the 1st movement.
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Offline eViLben

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Re: Saint-Saens
Reply #10 on: March 25, 2004, 07:55:31 PM
I really like this concerto too =)
i've Aldo Ciccolini's recording, (Paris orchester driven by Baudo)
to me it's the deepest of his 5 concerti.
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