Saint-Saëns Piano Concertos (inc Louis Schwizgebel in Nos 2 & 5)

[Belgrove]

Chamayou in 2 & (especially) 5 sparkles.

[richardfinegold]

I don’t feel the need for multiple sets of Saint Sean’s PCs, entertaining though they may be. I’ve had Roge and the father and son Kantorows sparkles in comparison, with a much better recording

[rauschwerk]

My view is not as extreme as that of Alfred Cortot, who reputedly was dismissive of the whole set except the fourth. Even so, I only bother with that one these days. There is some really grotty woodwind chording in the Rogé version. Hough/Oramo is fine and I see no need for another version.

[Dave2002]

Here is a YT of number 5:

[Barbirollians]

I don’t feel the need for multiple sets of Saint Sean’s PCs, entertaining though they may be. I’ve had Roge and the father and son Kantorows sparkles in comparison, with a much better recording

I wouldn't be without Jeanne Marie Darre's set as a complement to modern recordings. Other fine recent CDs of some of these concertos I have enjoyed a lot are the Chamayou mentioned above and Louis Schwizgebel also in 1 and 2. I recall Caliban /Nick being very taken with those too.

[Nick Armstrong]

I wouldn't be without Jeanne Marie Darre's set as a complement to modern recordings. Other fine recent CDs of some of these concertos I have enjoyed a lot are the Chamayou mentioned above and Louis Schwizgebel also in 1 and 2. I recall Caliban /Nick being very taken with those too.

Yes I was! But I didn’t know about this new BIS recording and am grateful to you for posting about it: will be listening asap thanks to Qobuz

[Barbirollians]

Yes I was! But I didn’t know about this new BIS recording and am grateful to you for posting about it: will be listening asap thanks to Qobuz

I don't know what I am talking about Schwizgebel was in 2 and 5 not 1 and 2. He seems to have parted company with Apart however as he has not made a recording since 2016 though I see he is performing at North Norfolk Festival this August.

[Nick Armstrong]

I don't know what I am talking about Schwizgebel was in 2 and 5 not 1 and 2. He seems to have parted company with Apart however as he has not made a recording since 2016

Yes you’re quite right, just a Schubert sonata recording the year after the Saint-Saens, then nothing…

I was intrigued that the concertos were recorded with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and the booklet reveals that they were actually R3 recordings:



One of those one-off deals, presumably

[Barbirollians]

That's interesting - I do recall a CD followed of performances that had been recorded the year before of Beethoven 1 and 2 with Thierry Fischer conducting. I did not enjoy that record as much though very much due to a dull accompaniment rather than any deficiency in Schwizgebel's playing.

[Dave2002]

Here is no 2 - but note the piano tuning - which clearly hasn't been done well. Obvious around 10 - 12 seconds in.

Maybe doesn't matter too much as a one off. Sounds a bit like our piano which is still in need of a tune up!

Shame really.

[Barbirollians]

Yes you’re quite right, just a Schubert sonata recording the year after the Saint-Saens, then nothing…

I was intrigued that the concertos were recorded with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and the booklet reveals that they were actually R3 recordings:




One of those one-off deals, presumably

It seems at a time that he was a BBC New Generations Artist . I imagine that his record company were impressed enough to license it otherwise the performances might have turned up on a BBCMM cover CD.

[Barbirollians]

Here is no 2 - but note the piano tuning - which clearly hasn't been done well. Obvious around 10 - 12 seconds in.

Maybe doesn't matter too much as a one off. Sounds a bit like our piano which is still in need of a tune up!

Shame really.

This is not the performance on the BIS recording - the works on the recording are with the Tapiola Sinfonietta and with an impeccably tuned piano.

[Nick Armstrong]

he was a BBC New Generations Artist

Ah yes, that doubtless had something to do with it.

He has an occasional and engaging presence on social media, e.g.,

[neiltingley]

Chamayou. Seconded. He's a fabulous pianist.

His Liszt Annees is truly excellent.

He's just recorded Vingt Regards.

[Nick Armstrong]

I don't know what I am talking about Schwizgebel was in 2 and 5 not 1 and 2. He seems to have parted company with Apart however as he has not made a recording since 2016 though I see he is performing at North Norfolk Festival this August.

… and Monsieur Schwizgebel is playing live on In Tune later today by way of a trailer for the festival…