Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Piano Concerto No. 1 in D major, Op. 17
2. Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22
3. Piano Concerto No. 3 in E flat major, Op. 29
4. Wedding Cake Valse-Caprice for piano and strings, Op. 76

Disc 2:

1. Piano Concerto No. 4 in C minor, Op. 44
2. Piano Concerto No. 5 in F major, Op. 103
3. Rapsodie d'Auvergne, Op. 73
4. Allegro appassionato, op. 70
5. Africa, Op. 89

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6181 in Music
• Released on: 2001-09-03
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: .24 pounds
• Running time: 155 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Stephen Hough's recording of Saint-Saëns' piano concertos comes as no surprise: he is our leading champion of once-lost pianistic causes--Scharwenka, Sauer and Mompou being among the composers he has brilliantly committed to disc. For all his fame, Saint-Saëns is a harder cause to champion than any of the above, since his music really is at times mere padding. But what those who deride him fail to see is that the Muse also frequently perched on his shoulder, most notably in the Fourth Concerto with its lovely set of variations. They also miss the central point about his art, which reflected a rigorously anti-Romantic stance: "Art is intended to create beauty and character," he wrote. "Feeling only comes afterwards, and art can very well do without it." As the author of Hyperion's excellent liner-note rightly observes, it's ironic that Saint-Saëns ' anti-emotionality should have damned him in the eyes of critics, when Stravinsky's similar stance earned him accolades. Stephen Hough brings his customary grace and precision to bear in these unexpectedly interesting works, ably abetted by Sakari Oramo in the pit. Sometimes the composer paints intimate tone-pictures, sometimes he evokes vast waterscapes, but at all times Hough keeps you alert and on the edge of your seat. --Michael Church

CD Description
It is surprising, given the popularity of the repertoire, that all the recordings of Saint-Saens complete concertos currently before the public pre-date the CD era and none of them are fully digital. In addition it has never before been possible to obtain all the composer's output for piano and orchestra on only two CDs. For these reasons alone this latest addition to the 'Romantic Piano Concerto' series is likely to become one of the most successful of all. The Gramophone 'Record of the Year' winning team of Stephen Hough and the CBSO are joined by their new principle conductor Sakari Oramo in performances which combine all the elegance required for the Frenchman's music with the utmost bravura. Saint-Saens himself was a formidable pianist and his rare 1904(!) 78rpm recording of Africa has until now been matchless; finally in Stephen Hough's performance he has a rival. With so much in its favour we are quite confident that this new cycle of these piano concertos will become the benchmark recording for many years to come.

Customer Reviews

Music to lift the spirits
These recordings are an unqualified success. Hough plays with complete understanding, allowing these works to sparkle and shine. He avoids bombast and in so doing, brings out the real strengths of these concertos.One thinks of Ravel rather than Liszt. And what a fine series they are! There is craftsmanship, refinement, colour, wit, and tenderness in all works. The 2nd and 4th are well known, but the first is a new delight for me, with a quite remarkable second movement. And why the 3rd has so often been dismissed as the weakest of the set is a mystery when it is heard in a performance as compelling as this. Full marks to Hyperion, Stephen Hough, Sakari Oramo and the CBSO. Anyone familiar with these concertos will delight in these new performances, and those investigating them for the first time are fortunate indeed! The concertos come with four short pieces for piano and orchestra, all well crafted and beautifully executed.

Sparkling performances by a master pianist
Like many lovers of the romantic French repertoire, I have been eagerly anticipating this release for some time. Hough amazes yet again with his effervescent touch and dazzling virtuosity - indeed, he seems to toss off these gems of the concerto repertoire with such nonchalant ease. How do his interpretations compare with the other leaders in the field, namely Roge, Collard and Biret? Consider all other versions well and truly trounced. Oramo and his merry band provide sterling support with a perfect feel for this music and a marvellous balance, thanks yet again to the Hyperion team. Without reservation, this is a great recording by one of the greatest pianists around. One expects accolades galore in days to come - take note, Gramophone!

spirited, elegant... Saint-Saens!
It is hard to imagine a more sympathetic, nor indeed high spirited, homage to Saint-Saens than this marvellous recording. All five of the piano concertos have something to recommend them and I am glad that they are finally being appreciated on their own grounds. Long neglected, Concertos 1, 3, 4 and 5 are marvellous pieces, full of fun, elegance and poise. The recording itself is in a real class of its own, and this is a very worthy 'sister' of Hough's recent recording of Rachmaninoff's concertos.

Also present here are some smaller pieces, a little like Mozart's one movement rondos. Here, as in the Concertos, Mozart's presence can be felt. However it is the synthesis of Mozart's light orchestration and masterful musical development with Stravinsky's neo-classical tendancies (without the edgy harmonies), mixed with one or two surprises such as a chorus of gamelans, that makes this CD full of just about everything that is worth while having in music.

Highly recommended!