Simon Trpčeski, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Thomas Søndergård - Saint-Saëns: Piano Concertos Nos. 2 & 5 "The Egyptian" (2026) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist

01. Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 22: I. Andante sostenuto
02. Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 22: II. Allegro scherzando
03. Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 22: III. Presto
04. Piano Concerto No. 5 in F Major, Op. 103 The Egyptian: I. Allegro animato
05. Piano Concerto No. 5 in F Major, Op. 103 The Egyptian: II. Andante
06. Piano Concerto No. 5 in F Major, Op. 103 The Egyptian: III. Molto allegro

Macedonian pianist Simon Trpčeski continues his critically acclaimed piano concertos series on Linn Records with a ‘spectacular’ (Bachtrack) live recording of Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concertos Nos. 2 & 5, both performed at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall with Thomas Søndergård conducting the colourful and energetic Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

It took Saint-Saëns just seventeen days to compose the Second Concerto and practice for the premiere under the baton of Anton Rubinstein! A feat as impressive as the quality of the work itself whose well-balanced movements look back on Fauré and Bach. The Fifth Concerto is the composer’s answer to Wagner mania. Indeed, the work can almost be taken as a hint to his compatriots that there were plenty of other sources of inspiration available, such as the Nubian love song that Saint-Saëns had heard sung by boatmen on the Nile and the sound of croaking frogs, which feature in the second movement and give the work its title: ‘The Egyptian’. This Concerto is a showcase of virtuosity for both composer and pianist.