Martin Jones, Adrian Farmer - Saint-Saëns: Music for Piano Duo and Duet, Vol. 2 (2017)

Tracklist

01. Marche Interalliée, Op. 155
02. Caprice Arabe, Op. 96
03. Danse macabre in G Minor, Op. 40
04. Trois Rhapsodies sur des cantiques bretons, Op. 7: I. Allegretto
05. Trois Rhapsodies sur des cantiques bretons, Op. 7: II. Allegro moderato e pomposo
06. Trois Rhapsodies sur des cantiques bretons, Op. 7: III. Andantino
07. Caprice héroïque, Op. 106
08. Wedding Cake in A-Flat Major, Op. 76 Caprice-Valse
09. Variations sur un Thème de Beethoven, Op. 35: Theme. Moderato, Tempo di Minuetto
10. Variations sur un Thème de Beethoven, Op. 35: Var. I. Allegro
11. Variations sur un Thème de Beethoven, Op. 35: Var. II. Poco meno mosso
12. Variations sur un Thème de Beethoven, Op. 35: Var. III. Tempo del Tema
13. Variations sur un Thème de Beethoven, Op. 35: Var. IV. Molto Allegro
14. Variations sur un Thème de Beethoven, Op. 35: Var. V. Moderato assai
15. Variations sur un Thème de Beethoven, Op. 35: Var. VI. Alla marcia funebre, Tempo del Tema
16. Variations sur un Thème de Beethoven, Op. 35: Var. VII. Allegro
17. Variations sur un Thème de Beethoven, Op. 35: Var. VIII. Allegro
18. Variations sur un Thème de Beethoven, Op. 35: Var. IX. Presto - Andante - Presto

Saint-Saëns' favorite pupil, Gabriel Faure, wrote in his obituary of his teacher of the serene regions his music often inhabited, where violence and paroxysms are unknown, where gravity, wit, charm, and smiling tenderness rule side by side. In this, he was echoing his teacher's own response to the world around him: Are smiles and graces to be ignored by all... Happiness is disapproved of in the music of our time... Long live sadness! Long live boredom! To which Roger Nicholas responds, Long live keys, tunes, clarity, and playfulness! Long live the music of Camille le Grand! This release is the second of two volumes of original compositions and arrangements for piano duo and duets by Camille Saint-Saëns. The two pianists are perfectly in tune with one another at all times. This is thoroughly enjoyable and well recorded with some interesting cover notes. I really look forward to hearing volume 2... (Jonathan Welsh)