Composer: Camille Saint-Saëns
Performer: Guillermo Pastrana
Orchestra: Basque National Orchestra
Conductor: Jun Märkl
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Naxos
Release: 2018
Size: 1.13 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Suite algérienne, Op. 60
01. I. Prélude
02. II. Rhapsodie mauresque
03. III. Rêverie du soir
04. IV. Marche militaire française
Suite in D Major, Op. 49, R. 165
05. I. Prélude
06. II. Sarabande
07. III. Gavotte
08. IV. Romance
09. V. Final
Suite for Cello & Orchestra, Op. 16b
10. I. Prélude
11. II. Sérénade
12. III. Gavotte
13. IV. Romance
14. V. Tarentelle
15. Sérénade, Op. 15 (version for orchestra)
Recorded: 9-10 and 15-16 December 2016
Recording Venue: Sede Orquesta Sinfónica de Euskadi, Spain
Saint-Saëns’ travels often resulted in geographically themed works, such as the Suite algérienne: this exotic musical picture postcard – full of perfumed sensuality and the brazen confidence of march themes – reflects the composer’s visits to colonial North Africa. The two suites on this recording are both structured around dance movements and were originally scored for different forces – the Suite in D major, Op. 49 for harmonium, the Suite in D minor, Op. 16 for cello and piano. The engaging Serenade, Op. 15, rarely performed with its original, exotic scoring, is heard here in an orchestral transcription.