Select delivery location
See All Buying Options
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Jean Martinon
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Complete Symphonies Audio CD – CD, May 29, 2012

4.7 out of 5 stars 84
See all formats and editions
Orchestre National de l’ORTF - Jean Martinon, direction
Previous page
  1. Language
    English
  2. Publisher
    Brilliant Classics
  3. Publication date
    May 29, 2012
  4. Dimensions
    4.88 x 5.59 x 0.39 inches
  5. See all details
Next page
The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B007762J3Q
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Brilliant Classics (May 29, 2012)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.84 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.88 x 5.59 x 0.39 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars 84

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Jean Martinon

Jean Martinon

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
84 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Re-master lover
5.0 out of 5 stars Most likely, not a new remastering...
Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2021
Verified Purchase
For anyone not acquainted with these melodious symphonies, don't hesitate. This is a great set, and authentic full out performances. These were first available on the EMI banner in the 80's. The digital mastering was copyright in 1989. So if you didn't buy it then, here's another chance. But a warning for the people, like me, who are interested in the most recent remastering to the current industry standards. Ok, EMI was sold, and then probably sold again. Warner Communications has their catalogue now. Erato and Warner are the banner label attached to this reissue. And verbiage about this series; "Masters-celebrates the full glory of the greatest performances....digitally remastered at Abbey Road Studios direct from the original master tapes..." bla bla bla. I believe this is misleading. The notes on this Erato, issued in 2011, state the most recent listing for mastering work done on this, is still the EMI remastering in 1989. And nothing since. The art-work template is a steal of the EMI GREAT PERFORMANCES OF THE CENTURY, which on every release did METICULOUS remastering to 24-bit, and credited the engineers, and date of the current work. And Abbey Road had their own branding for that as well; the ART one. Those were the real deal. This release looks geared to simulate those without doing any remastering at all, and after doing an "A/B" comparison of the original EMI to this this, my ears do not hear much of an upgrade in sound, if any at all.. That said, the 1989 mastering was, all in all, pretty good to being with. But with all the remastering, especially in some of those recordings made in the 60's or 70's as these were, the newest mastering often makes these older recordings sonically open up, and give greater clarity and definition; sometimes sounding even better than some of their contemporary recordings! I was looking forward to that on these symphonies, but did not get it. So, yes, 5 starts to the performance. None to this reissue. Ok, the art work is nice.
4 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Dick Buckley
5.0 out of 5 stars What a Fantastic Discovery!!
Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2015
Verified Purchase
Saint-Saens is possibly the most underrated composer ever! I fell in love with his music many long years ago, when I was a youngster and heard his Carnival of the Animals for the first time. That was even before I nurtured my love of classical music. I didn't even realize what it was. Several years later, when my appreciation of classical music was beginning to rear its ugly head, I was fortunate enough to hear his Organ Symphony, Symphony No.3. Once again, my interest and appreciation of Saint-Saens was aroused. I had never heard the organ featured with a symphony organ before. I made it a point to search for more of his music.

I ran into a violin concerto featuring Henryk Szerying, and I was convinced. Saint-Saens was one of my favorite composers. I found a couple of piano concertos performed by Pascal Roge, and ,once again, I was anything but disappointed. I thought I had experienced all there was of Saint-Saens, performed by the musicians who were particularly suited to his music.

Wrong again! I finally discovered this set of two CDs conducted by Jean Martinon. I was fortunate enough to attend a concert in Washington, D.C., almost 40 years ago, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I could hardly wait to get home, and listen to thoroughly French music conducted by a Frenchman. I thought I had heard it all.

Wrong one more time! I firmly believe Martinon was born to conduct Saint-Saens. Or maybe Saint-Saens was born to write music for Martinon to conduct. These discs are not just good. They're spectacular! I could write about them for hours, but I won't subject you to that. I must say, though, that Symphony No. 1 has replaced the Organ Symphony as my favorite Saint-Saens selection. The only problem I have with saying that is that I'm afraid of doing an injustice to the other four symphonies! They are also spectacular!

Do not hesitate. Order this two disc set while it is still available at this bargain price. You will never regret it. I have never before experienced a composer, conductor and orchestra who were as made for each other as these three. Enjoy!!
18 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Frog
5.0 out of 5 stars Saint-Saens Symphonies in Excellent Performances
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2016
Verified Purchase
Everyone is familiar with the "Organ Symphony," which even served as music for the movie "Babe." However, Saint-Saens composed four other symphonies which have been mostly neglected in American concert halls and in the recording studio. Jean Martinon is an effective interpreter of Saint-Saens, and the four symphonies are as well played as one could hope for. The "Organ Symphony," while a fine performance, is not on the same level as the Munch/Boston Symphony, which is my opinion is at the top of the heap. Paray/Detroit Symphony is just below Munch, in my opinion, and there are other performances of the "Organ Symphony," such as those by Barenboim/Chicago Symphony and Ormandy/Philadelphia Orchestra, which are outstanding. If you want to experience some rare but rewarding music, this collection of all of Saint-Saens symphonies is highly recommended.
6 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Bank Of America
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2016
Verified Purchase
Very good
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
L. E. Roberts
5.0 out of 5 stars UNDESERVEDLY NEGLECTED SAINT-SAENS WORKS
Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2017
Verified Purchase
Like most classical listeners, I was familiar with Saint-Saens more popular pieces, but not the rest of his works. I liked all of the works on the album, but especially fell in love with the Symphony in F "Urbs Roma." Jean Martinon does a superb job conducting the orchestra and the Erato label ensures fine engineering. Definitely something I will listen to over and over again.
4 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Thomas Ruehl
5.0 out of 5 stars Right Up there with his concertos
Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2021
Verified Purchase
What could anyone dislike about SAINT:Saens right up there with Beethoven
Helpful
 Report
BDW
3.0 out of 5 stars Music good but...
Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2023
Verified Purchase
The music is good. But it came in a flimsy bubble-wrap envelope and the double CD plastic case inside was broken & unusable. The CDs were undamaged so I scrounged around and found an unused double case to transfer to.
Helpful
 Report
metsentry
5.0 out of 5 stars all I have to do is listen and like magic I'm having fun
Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2015
Verified Purchase
The music of Saint-saens is so appealing to me, all I have to do is listen and like magic I'm having fun. Super product!
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
Alexei
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantàstic!
Reviewed in Spain on October 15, 2022
Verified Purchase
Una interpretació meravellosa d'un gran concert.
Report
Hans Engvall
5.0 out of 5 stars Nice
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 18, 2019
Verified Purchase
Exellent music
Report
claude toon
5.0 out of 5 stars Intégrale unique (dans tous les sens du terme) !!!!
Reviewed in France on April 8, 2015
Verified Purchase
Saint-Saëns a composé 5 symphonies. Deux des trois premières sont des œuvres de jeunesse et ne portent pas de numéros de catalogue. La première dite en la majeur date de 1850 (Saint-Saëns a 15 ans) et la seconde en fa majeur de 1856 (21 ans). Une autre date de 1855 et porte le n°1, enfin la N° 2 sera composée en 1859 (23 ans). C'est fouillis ce classement et guère chronologique et cela met en évidence l'apparent manque d'intérêt du compositeur français pour le genre. Franchement, ce ne sont pas des pages immortelles, mais dans l'album de Jean Martinon (seule intégrale disponible), le chef sauve du naufrage nombre de passages et nous entraînent vers une musique souvent agréable, même si la qualité mélodique n'est ni constante ni exempte d'épaisseur d'influence germanique.
Ainsi, dans la seconde symphonie, on passe de la douceur d'un bel adagio aux fanfaronnades d'un final qui pourrait faire les choux gras de l'orchestre de la Garde Républicaine. C'est tout Saint-Saëns ce contraste entre une inspiration évidente pour écrire divers passages, tandis que d'autres libèrent certaines pesanteurs typiques de la musique française du second empire et des débuts de la troisième république.

La symphonie avec "orgue" porte le N° 3 et date de 1886. 27 années se sont donc écoulées depuis la publication de la seconde symphonie. Bien entendu, la maîtrise de l'écriture à fait son chemin et sur la forme, la composition est excellente, mais sur le fond, on va retrouver à la fois des instants de musique charmante et allègre et des réminiscences du style pompier pour lesquelles un ami préfère utiliser l'adjectif "flamboyant"… Très positif ce garçon, comme à l'accoutumée…
L'œuvre est dédié à Franz Liszt, ami de Saint-Saëns mort peu de temps avant la création à Paris en 1887. La vraie première avait eu lieu en 1886 à Londres puisque l'œuvre était une commande de la Royal Philharmonic Society. Saint-Saëns la dirigea à Londres mais ne joua que la partie d'orgue à Paris. Pour éviter en 1975 les tripatouillages de la postsynchronisation, Jean Martinon a choisi d'enregistrer dans la chapelle Saint-Louis-des-Invalides avec Bernard Gavotty à l'orgue. (Organiste élève de Marcel Dupré et Louis Vierne et fondateurs des jeunesses musicales de France.)
L'œuvre a souvent été jouée dans la salle du Trocadéro, une salle de plusieurs milliers de places et disposant d'un orgue. L'acoustique étant abominable, la salle disparaîtra lors de la construction du Palais de Chaillot. Pour ce temple du monumentalisme, la riche orchestration est de rigueur : 3 flutes (+ 1 piccolo), 2 hautbois, 1 cor anglais, 2 clarinettes, clarinette basse, 2 bassons et contrebasson, 4 cors, 3 trompettes, 3 trombones, tuba, timbales, triangle, cymbales, grosse caisse, piano (à deux ou quatre mains), un orgue et les cordes. La symphonie comprend 2 mouvements subdivisés en 2 parties. Donc, la symphonie conserve de toute façon une forme classique, Saint-Saëns est un farceur…

1 – (a) Adagio – Allegro maestoso – (b) Adagio : Un adagio énoncé aux cordes et par un chant triste du hautbois introduit la symphonie. Très rapidement un thème intense et rythmé se déploie : staccato des cordes, jeux concertants des bois, solos du cor anglais. Cette orchestration est jouissive. Et cela est dû en grande partie à la direction incisive et nerveuse de Martinon, à la clarté du discours, la frappe scandée sur les timbales. On perçoit une influence de Mendelssohn donc curieusement un esprit pathétique presque métaphysique, une violence, l'opposition du bien contre le mal chère aux romantiques. C'est surprenant de la part d'un Saint-Saëns agnostique pour ne pas dire athée, en tout cas non pratiquant. Saint-Saëns ne nie pas les concepts de transcendance voire de surhomme cher à Nietzsche… Jean Martinon nous plonge dans un combat tellurique entre cordes, harmonies et timbales. Le chef français gomme tout pathos, redore l'orchestration de Saint-Saëns. Bravo aux ingénieurs du son, les captations dans les églises sont des galères, mais là, nous bénéficions d'un espace et d'une transparence mettant en valeur tous les instruments.
L'adagio commence directement par un accord de l'orgue, grave mais presque tendre, priant si on continue de prêter des intentions spirituelles à Saint-Saëns dans ce premier mouvement. Une seconde partie méditative aux longs thrènes des cordes, avec la sonorité sidérale et sans fioriture de l'orgue, juste un petit solo discret de quelques notes avant un développement plus agité. Le tempo de Martinon reste soutenu pour éviter tout climat trop élégiaque dans cette musique qui retrouve ici une vitalité pratiquement sensuelle. Un premier mouvement d'anthologie…

2 – (a) Allegro moderato – (b) Presto – Maestoso – Più allagro : A un scherzo classique, Saint-Saëns préfère une danse drolatique aux accents étranges et sarcastiques de do mineur, et au déroulement un peu fou où s'affrontent les groupes instrumentaux. L'orgue n'intervient plus au bénéfice du piano joué à quatre mains. Un passage trépidant dans l'esprit goguenard de la danse macabre. A une vision insolite du purgatoire et de l'enfer si tant est qu'il nous entraîne dans ses lieux pour lui imaginaire. Je ne répète pas que la direction de Martinon maintient sous contrôle absolu cette débauche de facéties instrumentales.
Un accord titanesque de l'orgue introduit avec une grandeur céleste le final, en do majeur. Saint-Saëns n'a que faire d'un jugement dernier apocalyptique. De vous à moi, ce final tonitruant est un chouia grandiloquent, mais là encore l'art du chef tire le maximum de l'écriture fantasmagorique, des bonds de pupitre en pupitre. Bien entendu, le phrasé reste martial (la partition reste ce qu'elle est), mais le tempo frénétique et la précision de l'orchestre National de l'ORTF (de France désormais) permet d'obtenir une marche flamboyante vers l'apothéose de la coda où s'imposent les rugissements de l'orgue (avec élégance, merci Bernard Gavotty), les timbales et les cymbales. Un panache qui ne fait pas dans la dentelle, mais, interprétée avec une telle fougue, oui ça jette !!!

Extrait d'un article paru dans le deblocnot (voir profil)
4 people found this helpful
 Report
Demetrio Nunnari
5.0 out of 5 stars Chi l'avrebbe mai detto?
Reviewed in Italy on February 16, 2014
Verified Purchase
Che i Concerti per pianoforte di Saent-Saens non fossero il massimo della letteratura pianistica è cosa nota, ed è cosa altrettanto risaputa che nella Sinfonia "con organo" l'Autore tocchi invece una delle vette più alte della sua creatività. Ma, chi l'avrebbe mai detto che Saent-Saens fosse un sinfonista di prim'ordine? Il cofanetto ce lo dimostra con cinque autentiche perle, una più interessante dell'altra. Anche gli interpreti sono degnissimi: Orchestre National de l'ORTF diretta da Jean Martinon, uno dei guru del repertorio francese. Rapporto qualità prezzo imbattibile!
One person found this helpful
 Report
Thomas Hogan
3.0 out of 5 stars A must!
Reviewed in Canada on September 10, 2012
Verified Purchase
If you've wondered why these symphonies (apart from #3) deserve to remain in obscurity, here's your answer, lovingly interpreted by M. Martinon.
One person found this helpful
 Report