Orchestre National de France - Saint-Saens: Complete Symphonies (CD)

In a release that marks the centenary of Camille Saint-Saëns' death in December 1921, the Orchestre National de France, conducted by it's music director Cristian Macelaru, performs the composer's five symphonies: Nos 1, 2 and 3 and two unnumbered works, the early Symphony in A major and the Symphony in F major, 'Urbs Roma'. The works span some 35 years of the composer's dazzling career - from around 1850, when he was 15, to 1886, the year that the Symphony No 3 was premiered. By far the best known of the five, No 3 famously complements the orchestra with an organ, played on this new recording by Olivier Latry.

Track List:

Disc: 1

1. Symphony in a Major: I. Poco Adagio. Allegro Vivace
2. Symphony in a Major: II. Larghetto
3. Symphony in a Major: III. Scherzo (Allegro Vivace)
4. Symphony in a Major: IV. Finale. Allegro Molto. Presto
5. Symphony No. 1 in E-Flat Major, Op. 2: I. Adagio. Allegro
6. Symphony No. 1 in E-Flat Major, Op. 2: II. Marche. Scherzo
7. Symphony No. 1 in E-Flat Major, Op. 2: III. Adagio
8. Symphony No. 1 in E-Flat Major, Op. 2: IV. Finale. Allegro Maestoso

Disc: 2

1. Symphony in F Major "Urbs Roma": I. Largo - Allegro
2. Symphony in F Major "Urbs Roma": II. Molto Vivace
3. Symphony in F Major "Urbs Roma": III. Moderato Assai Serioso
4. Symphony in F Major "Urbs Roma": IV. Poco Allegretto. Andante Con Moto

Disc: 3

1. Symphony No. 2 in a Minor, Op. 55: I. Allegro Marcato. Allegro Appassionato
2. Symphony No. 2 in a Minor, Op. 55: II. Adagio
3. Symphony No. 2 in a Minor, Op. 55: III. Scherzo. Presto
4. Symphony No. 2 in a Minor, Op. 55: IV. Prestissimo
5. Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 78 "Organ Symphony": I. (A) Adagio - Allegro Moderato
6. Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 78 "Organ Symphony": I. (B) Poco Adagio
7. Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 78 "Organ Symphony": II. (A) Allegro Moderato - Presto
8. Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 78 "Organ Symphony": II. (B) Maestoso. Allegro