Saint-Saëns - a couple of previously unrecorded small works

[Christopher]

This new Naxos release contains two (as far as I can tell) previously unrecorded Saint-Saëns works:

https://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.574033

14.  Andromaque, Act IV: Prélude
17.  Ouverture d'un Opéra - Comique inachevé

[TerraEpon]

Yeah, I've been wanting a recording of the overture forever. And despite it's late Op. number of 140 it's actually a really early piece.

Also the disc has an "alternative version" of a couple pieces of the Ascanio ballet. Curious is this is the 'Airs de Ballet' that's decently known, or something else.

[semloh]

Thanks for letting us know, Christopher. All new to me, and I suspect it's a 'must buy'!

[Christopher]

Actually it looks like the "Andromaque, Act IV: Prélude"  was already recorded on this CD - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Saint-Sa%C3%ABns-Rapsodie-bretonne-Andromaque-algerienne/dp/B000026JLE - apologies for the misinformation. 



But I hope I am right about the other piece!

There's some blurb about the overture here - https://saintsaenscomplete.wordpress.com/2013/05/17/overture-dun-opera-comique-inacheve/

[TerraEpon]

Well huh, I HAVE that CD and somehow forgot to indicate in my list that I have anything from Andromaque.

As far as I know, the overture has never been recorded.

[Kevin]

I notice this CD features some music from les barbares, is the whole opera worth hearing?

[Christopher]

Well huh, I HAVE that CD and somehow forgot to indicate in my list that I have anything from Andromaque.

As far as I know, the overture has never been recorded.

Yes, it has been - it's on one of my Saint-Saens CDs (will check when I get home).

[TerraEpon]

Huh well I'd like to know what disc. Sure it's not the Overture de Fete? (Which is on a disc with La Foi, Phaeton and the Second Symphony)

[mjmosca]

Kevin S- in regard to Les Barbares, I found that there is allot of very fine music in the score, but the soloist, particularly the tenor and mezzo soprano were very unsatisfactory- the first has a voice too small for the role, without core or any darkness, and the latter wobbles all over the place. It is difficult to enjoy a new work, when the singers have such difficulty. On the other hand, it is unlikely that the opera will receive another recording. Among the operas of Saint-Saens, I find that Henry VIII, Ascanio, Etienne Marcel, and Proserpine to be really great discoveries that could join Samson et Daiila in the repertory as occasional visitors, at least. I also enjoy Helene and The Yellow Princess, both well recorded.

[Kevin]

Thanks for the heads up mjmosca. It looks like I'll be skipping Les Barbares, just as well because I couldn't find a digital release anywhere. I agree about Henry VIII and Ascanio, the latter might just be his finest opera at least according to me, certainly the one I get the most enjoyment out of.

[Christopher]

Huh well I'd like to know what disc. Sure it's not the Overture de Fete? (Which is on a disc with La Foi, Phaeton and the Second Symphony)

So huh it turns out that the version I had WAS the one with Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo, David Robertson

[TerraEpon]

Sorry -- I said 'the overture hasn't been recorded', referring to Overture d'un Opera Comique inacheve ....sorry for being unclear.

[Christopher]

Yeah, I've been wanting a recording of the overture forever. And despite it's late Op. number of 140 it's actually a really early piece.

Also the disc has an "alternative version" of a couple pieces of the Ascanio ballet. Curious is this is the 'Airs de Ballet' that's decently known, or something else.

Hi TerraEpon - which of the Ascanio tracks are alternative, do you know?

[TerraEpon]

The two at the end of the disc labeled "Ascanio, Act III: Ballet (alternative version) (excerpts) " -- looking at the liner notes it's very clearly "Airs de ballet d'Ascanio" which is often put on flute discs.

[Christopher]

This CD was released today.