Desert island Saint-Saens symph.#3

Anyone here want to weigh in on a desert isle version of Saint-Saens Symphony no.3? Been searching for a satisfying one, downloading Real bit files, reading reviews but not conclusive, though I've narrowed it down to about three or four contenders. Years ago I had a performance by Dutoit & Montreal. It was fine, & feel he interprets nicely though the third movement seemed frenetic at times. I'm especially interested in a good rendition of the 'achingly beautiful' adagio, which is especially moving, IMO.

Considering the Telarc/Ormandy version for sound, but feel ripped off as nothing else is on the 35 minute CD. Considered the Paul Paray/Detroit/Mercury, but can't hear samples & concerned w/ age of recording (1960?). Considered the Charles Munch, but have same concerns as above.

Any suggestions

I like Munch and Martinon most, but I don't think I'd want the 3rd symphony on a desert island. Darre playing the piano concertos, on the other hand....

Marc Perman

You need not be concerned with the sound quality of the Munch/Boston recording; it is quite fine. But as good as Munch is, I would probably choose Barenboim/Chicago/DG as my favorite

Those Mercury recordings are better sounding than most of what is recorded today.

Paray is probably the one I'd recommend. The sound is Mercury at its best.

Paul Goldstein

Not only that, but there's enough room left over for a Bruckner symphony.

<< Anyone here want to weigh in on a desert isle version of Saint-Saens Symphony no.3? >>

As already mentioned, Barenboim/Chicago is at the head of the class of the stereo recordings. Gorgeous performance, plenty of excitement. But don't pass up an opportunity to get Coppola's ancient but impossibly beautiful recording. It's the true desert island choice.

How do you get an organ to the desert isle ?!?

Oh, I see

Thanks; I THOUGHT there was a Barenboim,that I'd heard about 12 years ago on an LP, but didn't see it during my first search. I didn't remember it was

Has anyone heard the Telarc/Ormandy/Philadelphia version, or the Telarc/Badea/Royal Philharmonic/Murray? I've gone to their website to hear mp3 clips, but there's no clip of Murray's organ work (!) on the Telarc/Ormandy and none of the Telarc/Badea/Royal Philharmonic. At least the Telarc/Badea/Royal Philharmonic one gives you Phaeton with the symphony. Otherwise, buying a CD with just the Symphony no. 3 you wind up paying about 50 cents per

says...

Actually, the coupling is part of the attraction: Paray's own beautiful Mass.

Paul Goldstein

Haven't they reissued this in their budget series yet?

I don't think you need to be concerned. This sounds pretty good (unless you're one of those poor people that freaks out when there's the slightest bit of tape hiss), and it's a very satisfying interpretation. In fact, I don't really feel the need for another recording.

I've heard that there is a very short bit where the recording drops from stereo into mono, but otherwise this has the usual virtues of RCA recordings of that time.

American Record Guide seems to think highly of the Pretre on EMI. It is cheap.

Once you've found a 3rd you like, you may want to pick Martinon's recordings of all the symphonies (the 2 other numbered symphonies and 2 unnumbered ones).

Dave Cook