Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 1 in E flat major, Op. 2

The debut of the distinguished violinist and conductor Augustin Dumay on ONYX.

Saint-Saëns’s popular First Cello Concerto is coupled with his superb but neglected First Symphony and the late and rare double concerto for cello and violin ‘La Muse et le Poète’.

Dumay is music director of the Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra in Japan, making their debut recording with Dumay. They are joined by cellist Pavel Gomziakov in ‘La Muse et le Poète’ and the famous first cello concerto.

The First Symphony was praised by Berlioz and Gounod when it was premiered in 1853. Both composers were amazed that such an assured symphony could be the work of an 18-year-old. Saint-Saëns’s use of the large orchestra is extraordinary and the work has all the hallmarks associated with this composer: flair, good taste and a gift for wonderful tunes that remain with the listener. Its neglect in the concert hall is hard to understand.

The complete symphonies of Saint-Saëns on 2 CD’s, a most welcome set, as there are remarkably few complete issues on the market. Saint-Saëns’ music, always extremely well crafted, delights in melodic richness (he knew how to compose a catching tune!), colourful orchestration and an exquisite charm and “French esprit”, which make these works highly attractive for a large audience.

Especially Symphony No. 3, for organ and large orchestra, gained immense popularity, not in the least because of the popsong “If I had Words”, written on the melody of the last movement. These performances by French forces under maestro Jean Martinon, still rank among the best recordings of the wonderful works.

"This recording is really splendid. Martinon and the ORTF Orchestra are obviously a very successful combination; he gets superlative playing from them and he himself gives of his best." Gramophone Magazine

EMI MASTERS celebrates the full glory of the greatest performances from the world's greatest catalogue of recorded music. Digitally remastered at Abbey Road Studios direct from the original master tapes, these classic recordings emerge with unparalleled immediacy. You will be left in no doubt that you are in the presence of legendary musicians and ageless interpretations.

Saint-Saëns composed a total of five symphonies, three of which bear a number. These three appear on this 2 CD set from Cascavelle, plus the four symphonic poems - Le Rouet d’Omphale, Phaéton, Danse macabre and Marche héroïque. These recordings have little or no competition in this format.