Geoffrey Burleson - Saint-Saens: Complete Piano Works Vol. 4 (2016)

Tracklist

01. Gavotte for Piano in C minor, Op. 23
02. Mazurka for Piano no 1 in G minor, Op. 21
03. Mazurka for Piano no 2 in G minor, Op. 24
04. Mazurka for Piano no 3 in B minor, Op. 66
05. Menuet et Valse for Piano, Op. 56
06. Valse canariote for Piano in A minor, Op. 88
07. Valse mignonne in E flat major, Op. 104
08. Valse nonchalante in D flat major, Op. 110 b
09. Valse langoureuse for Piano in E major, Op. 120
10. Valse gaie for Piano, Op. 139
11. Une nuit a Lisbonne for Orchestra, Op. 63
12. Souvenir d'Italie for Piano, Op. 80
13. Souvenir d'Ismailia for Piano, Op. 100

Although he is best remembered for his orchestral and instrumental music, Saint-Saens was also responsible for spearheading the revival of the French Baroque, especially the music of Lully and Rameau, as well as being perfectly placed to absorb the latest instrumental dance music. His five 'character waltzes' include the ethereal and ravishingly textured Valse mignonne, the stylistically forward-looking Valse nonchalante and teh virtuosic Valse gaie, the composer's final waltz for solo piano, while the three minor key Mazurkas are strongly characterised and filled with ingeious musical contrasts. Last but not least, the three 'souvenirs' are delightful evocations of particular corners of the world that inspired Saint-Saens