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From: Sinfoniette
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  • Shades of Richard Wagner, but with a French accent!!!! Magnifique!!!

  • 5:07 32' stop!

  • Such a powerful piece that never fails to stir my emotions.

  • Who else tears up at the beginning?

  • ¡Espléndido!

  • oh please just shut up about Babe!! it was a film made almost 20 years ago, and nothing very special imho!! Saint  Saens music survived up until that film, and will continue to survive without it lol!

  • Splendid!!!!!!! The best performance I've heard and can imagine!

  • boludos los cuatros que no les gusto esto !!!!!

  • This symphony is, without a doubt, a true masterpiece of ALL TIME.

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  • Oh yes! Also because Charles Munch looks like my Grandad who also played the Organ god bless him xx

  • BLOWS!!!

    From every corner of the world--from land, sea and air--come all the warriors in history to fight for Don Q and SP, who find themselves attired in powerful armor and strong weapons. Don Q attacks Friston and his demons, and achieves the most glorious triumph in history.

    At the conclusion, millions of voices and instruments hail the Empress of La Mancha, Don Q and SP!

    .

  • This always gives me goose bumps. Thrilling. Spectacular performance.

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  • Best melody after ode to joy from beethoven :D

  • @Nostravitagadiel Oh yeah!

  • Who in blazes hit dislike!?!?!?!?

  • @Gordontrek People who never watched "Babe," I guess. I am serious--that's where I first heard and adored this piece. At least now my appreciation for it is based on the beauty of the music and not just "Hey, that was in one of my favorite movies!"

  • @Tatooine92 I've never seen the movie "Babe". But I have one family member who apparently couldn't stop watching it when she was little. I'm beginning to think this symphony might be why.

    You can also hear all sorts of influence on John Williams' compositions in this movement... 2:25 to 2:40 stands out in particular. Listen to the "E.T." soundtrack - Williams' phrasing at times sounds as if he studied under Saint-Saens.

  • Outstanding version of this work. One of my eight for the desert island.

  • @MOGGS1942 too bad there's only 8 of them to take.

    but this is a truly masterpiece.

  • Yes, this is definitely the best recording of this ever made, and the SACD version, in 3 discrete channels made from the 3 channel master tape is worth the price of the disc, and an SACD player to fully appreciate it!

  • This is one of the best recordings, if not THE best in the USA, done at Symphony Hall Boston in 1961 on the great Aeolian-Skinner organ of 100 ranks. A perfect orchestra and perfect instrument. BRAVO Maestro Munch and Organiste Zamkojian! Wunderbar! Taoseno, Arlington,VA

  • ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh thats the Organ we need to hear and my neighbours dont so I best locate my head set. *tee hee hee*

    OMG this is wonderful ! tyvvm ! Piney :))

  • Beautiful.

  • i went to the bose store in a nearby mall and they played a part of this song for one of their demos. It sounded so amazing, and I'm so glad that I finally found it

  • Munch was a master of French music and this recording of the Saint-Saens is still the standard by which all others are measured. If you want goosebumps, I can recommend his recording of the Berlioz "Symphonie Fantastique" and the "Grande Messe des Morts". Also, don't overlook his recording of Ravel's "Bolero".

  • Certes, le tempo initial est un peu plus rapide que ce que demande la partition, mais ça, c'est le tempérament de Munch ! Quelle interprétation, de la limpidité et de la générosité, unique; j'ai plein de versions de cette oeuvre, et malgré les Karajan ou les orgues Cavaillé-Coll, c'est à cette interprétation que j'aurais aimé assister...

  • WOW!

    I tried my new fancy ear-plugs to listen to this..what a new dimension it added to listening to this symphony.

    It were as if I were in the front row, seated before this grand orchestra, the music fusing with my blood...my being.

    What magnificence!!

  • SO CLEAR - SO PERFECT - I JUST DIED AND MET GOD!!!!!!

  • 0:31-1:07 anyone else hear beauty and the beast?

  • @hgjfkd12345 i did! ... thanks for pointing that out! :D

  • @hgjfkd12345 This piece represents a kind of culmination of Saint-Saen's life's works, it has elements found in many of his previous music. What you probably hear is the piano playing the tune from a previous work, "Carnival of the Animals: Aquarium", which was used in that movie.

  • From 5:25-end, Saint-Saens may have created the greatest musical phrase of all time. Sorry, Saint-Saens DID create the greatest musical phrase of all time.

  • Mindblowing.

  • I was lucky enough to be the organist of this amazing work when I performed it with my school orchestra at the end of June this year. Absolutely thrilling!! :)

  • That'll do, maestro, that'll do.

  • I wonder if Richard Strauss had the finale of this symphony in mind when he composed his Also Sprach Zarathustra.

  • my personal opinion,a little to fast,

  • @rudly I believe it's one of a select group of pieces that, regardless of tempo, are able to maintain their awe-inspiring beauty and power.

  • insanity! this is amazaing!

  • Bravo! bravo!

  • BABE sorry it had to be said

  • Our marching band is marching a show based on the works of Saint-Saens, and it's great to be able to hear the originals at home. Thank you very much for this.

  • 2 people dislike, 2 people suck at music, 2 people have a tuba rammed up there butts.

  • @HACKER71000 now there's three. so 3 people are either deaf, jealous, suck at music, accidentally clicked the wrong thumb, andddd have a tuba rammed up their butts. because there is no way in heaven or hell that you can not absolutely adore Saint-Saens.

  • @3ll3ogator 3 times hurah for freedom!!!!!

  • That'll do Pig, that'll do.

  • I always thought entering heven would have this music as in "well done mate you in!"

  • Babe!

  • This recording is so great--by far the best in my opinion--that it still amazes me each time I hear it.

    I believe Charles Munch was the greatest gift to French orchestral music interpretation since the beginning of recorded sound. From Berlioz to Ravel is there anyone more wildly talented and life-affirming?

    What a joy.

  • I wish I was born elsewhere and not live in a crappy suburban midwest of US and listen to this with all its glory, live with my own ears... I'll die with regrets.

  • im having this at my wedding!

  • Charles Munch's recording of the Saint-Saens Symphony No. 3 may be the most badass recording of it ever.

  • Finally, the joy of life that goes way back. Cry of happiness.

    *: See my last comment to the video

  • From 0:30-1:06 (and onwards) : I never knew that this was were that melody came from. I'm very happy I came across this symphony.

  • I have never heard this recording of the Saint-Saens symphony. However, like most of Charles Munch's RCA Victor recordings with the Boston Symphony, it is top-notch and benefits from the wonderful pipe organ in Boston's Symphony Hall. By the way, Munch and the Boston Symphony recorded in STEREO from 1954 to 1962, which was real innovation in those days.

  • over the top performance, but i prefer the recording with Pierre Cochereau and the Berlin Philharmonic with Herbert von Karajan

  • RAWRRR!!! *Applause*

  • I love this song!

  • the most awe inspiring introduction, changed my whole day from sad to gladness...

  • I have the Telarc recording of Michael Murphy in Philadelphia. It would have been neat to hear it from Wannamakers though.

  • Oh my God! I have loved this symphony from the first time I heard it in London in 1984. This is simply the best interpretation I have heard - ever. Thrilling! Thank you so much for posting it.

  • it really helps if you have a subwoofer on your speakers -- gawd ! Do you know if the melody was original or a French anthem?

  • BABE!

  • That'll do Saint-Saëns, that'll do.

  • @happycompy

    Great post!!

  • thank you for this continuity, I have searched and searched to find the optimum recording here and this is it!!!!!

  • GO Dies Irae!!!!!!

    Awesome.

  • Goosebumps, every time I hear this piece, and in so many parts. Thanks for sharing, and I like how one movement leads into another with my having to search as I have with many other pieces.

  • I was a sailor boy in San Diego in 1952 when I heard this for the first time, and it jerked me into listening to classical music. I will never get over it. Thank you God! I liked it so much,that I decided to learn to play the organ also, and have all of these years.

  • I think this is arguably the best recording of this piece that's out there. there is the famous flub of the horn about half way in the finale, but the overall sound is simply unbelievable and the playing is magnificent. Ormandy/Murray is good too but doesn't come close enough to this!

  • Munch simply ruled here!

  • I love this piece. This last section of Movement 2 is stunningly beautiful!

  • Yes - But before 'Babe' this melody was a folk song from the French Revolution, calling on all to 'wrest the tyrant from the throne'. Like many French symphonic works composed following the Franco-Prussian War this movement is intensely patriotic, with lots of apocalyptic battle imagery. For an organist, there are few joys greater than performing this piece as part of a symphony orchestra; but I always envy the tympanist, who is the real 'star' of the show and always has the last word.

  • @MrSpacecobra I'm afraid that Great Britain and France are no longer the two top superpowers of the world, as was the case in S-S's time. GB and France are now only a shadow of a shadow of a shadow of a shadow of a shadow of what they were a hundred years ago. Their seats in the UN Security Council should be turned over to such countries as India and Japan, which are the real superpowers of today.

  • OMG ITS THATSONGFROMBABE!!!!!!111!!!11­11!1111!!1oneone!!!!1111

  • sss

  • Sinfoniette, does the song in this video watch?v=SdqY2a9iRXw beginning at one minute have an organ, do you know the name of the song?

  • Definetly no organs in there... it has to be something baroque or pre-baroque but I'm ignorant on that stuff, so sorry. (but since its a GAME trailer, I think it might have been composed by the music guys of the company.

  • I appreciate the quick response, thanks.

  • @Sinfoniette Yes, That is an organ playing in this piece!

  • @Sinfoniette Yes that is an organ you hear, But you are right about the baroque part, An organ could be called a baroque instrument.

  • @Sinfoniette Yes, it is a organ, But your right about the baroque part, a organ could be called a baroque instrument!

  • @Sinfoniette Actually, the organ is the large Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ in Bodton's Symphony Hall.

  • @EdgeKrusher37 This is composed with some baroque influence, but it is not from that period.  I would venture to say, like Sinfoniette pointed out, that it is written by modern-day game composers.

  • @EdgeKrusher37 My guess is that it's composed by Gary Schyman. (Google "dante's inferno composer")

  • @EdgeKrusher37 Haha. Yeah,p no organ for sure. This is a track made for the trailer of the game and all "instruments" are synthesized. What you're hearing that may sound like an organ is the mixture of synth voice and brass.

  • @EdgeKrusher37 This tune was used as the Theme for the film "Babe" about a pig

  • Saint-Saens Symphony No 3 "Organ" (4/4)

    has got to the best recording ever! How may I obtain a dvd? Nice full pipe organ sound... So clear..just perfect.

    Thank you Conductor Munch..

    From Charlottesville, VA

  • I don't think a video of this performance exists.

  • @Mrbillybigpipe I think it is best to hear this on vinyl and not on digital. The original 1963 Living Stereo release really captures the sound.

  • @cartoonfan1920s It's older than 1963! This was first released in 1959!

  • @hootenhtn COOL! The copy I have seen circulating has a later italics living stereo logo that was issued between 1961-1963. Does the old copy have the famous banner on the top with the speakers and the logo?

  • @cartoonfan1920s Yes it does. It has the banner on the top with the speakers!

  • @Mrbillybigpipe It was I believe the first stereo recording of the 3rd, from back about 1959. Still legendary for its sound. A bit hissy at first (tube electronics dontcha know) but they cleaned it up digitally for CD. Should be readily available though no DVD. Don't think Munch recorded with the BSO much longer.

  • The ending was so exciting and heavy, with the timpanist pounding away, the organ voicing the a full deep chord along with the strings, and the brass topping it all off. Spectacular!

  • BABE lol

  • I love how Saint-Saens uses the piano as a harp! And the organ is beautifully haunting! My favorite piece by him!

  • It's actually two pianos. Not a chap piece to produce!

  • Four hands on one piano.

  • Thanks! Four hands, one piano. It's a dream of mine to see it performed.

  • That is, not a "cheap" piece ... etc.

  • Kitch is kitten tea cozies, or Durer's Praying Hands on coasters. This is glory. Not the doorbell to heaven, but the celebration at the gates.

  • Exactly. This is sort of the music I imagine would be played at the Apocalypse, (even though I don't believe it myself) when evil is vanquished.

  • This music never fails to bring tears to my eyes.

  • WOW STUNNING

  • Hey, music is not about fanfares and the sound of the doorbell to paradise. You want music with soul and character? Listen to the sonatas and symphonies of good old Ludwig van.

  • OK, but try telling that to a bunch of people listening to Tchaikowsky's 1812 Overture or Beethoven's 5th or 9th Symphs. and see if they can stay in their seats. Some music IS about fanfares and grandiosity, even Beethoven's.

  • But music with only grandiosity is kitsch... no?

  • @Sinfoniette No...it's Grand!

  • @Sinfoniette no I don't believe so.

  • Excuse Me.....Babe is Awesome!!!!! Cutest movie ever!!! :D

    yeah, Saint Saens was a Genius though

  • I wish people would stop going on about "Babe"

    anyway Saint Saens is a genuis

  • Regarding the Babe reference, I remember it annoyed me when more than one person referred to the Carmen Overture as The Bad News Bears (the original with Walter Matthau). My God, that shows my age.

  • @01782644468 I am happy that my mum knew from what composer the "Babe song" originally came, and that i noticed the word "Babe" somewhere in combination with the organ symphony, otherwise I would have had to listen to everything Saint Saens had ever written before finding it...

  • @01782644468

    Haha Yeah.. I know... But seriously, Babe was a film that showcased his genius, so I'm very content to say woohoo Babe :)

  • amazingly great and beautiful

  • This was one of my first recordings, too, I've always thought the finale was what you'd hear if you pushed God's doorbell...and after the final reverb dies away a little old man open the door and says, "hellooo?"

  • This piece of music was inspired from heaven, and still remains at the top of the list of my favorites which contains, R.Strauss, Carl Nielen, Sibelius, Widor, Elgar,Delius, Britten, Prokofieff, Bernstein, Orff. Shall I go on?

  • This music was my very first purchase of any classical music recording I every made. At the time I was 16 in 1966 and was looking for something orchestral with organ. Not really knowing much about performers of the day, I just grabbed the one LP I found in the bin at Jordan Marsh. The old mono recording is the Philadelphia Orchestra with Eugene Ormandy - a solid performance - but one, in my opinion, that doesn't hold a candle to this one.

  • This theme was used extensively in the movie "Babe." it is arranged in several forms, first as a lullaby and later as a Reggae song in the end credits.

  • You're right. Now that I think about it, it was Babe. I haven't seen that film since I was a kid. Not surprised I didn't remember where I'd heard this amazing music before! Thanks for replying!

  • I don't give a damn what Saint-Saens critics say. This is the work of a GENIUS.

  • 0:30 is magic, I have chills!

  • Someone used part of this symphony in a movie! Does anyone know what it was? Amazing! I love love love it! The string parts are so beautiful! And the organ adds such depth to the piece! I don't usually enjoy organ music, but it was used so expertly here, I'm beginning to be converted! An exquisite symphony!

  • "Babe." It's the same melody that Farmer Hoggett sings to Babe when he's ill. It's also heard in the end credits.

  • Well, it was in the "France" movie in Epcot. Is that what you're talking about?

  • @DickensJunkie2010 I'm assuming the movie you were looking might not have been babe, another was 'how to get ahead in advertising'

  • Easily one of my favorites. I've always liked the organ.

    Though I wish there was a recording with more passion or perhaps suspense in the music. More of the organ!

  • Actually, the balance between the Æolian-Skinner organ of Boston's Symphony Hall and the Boston SO is OUTSTANDING - I find it hard to imagine any better!!!! You truly have a most exciting recording sound plus outstanding performances by everybody. [One secret: the organ part in this piece is quite easy - it's the orchestral musicians who have to sweat!!] Those who want to hear more organ should seek a recording featuring a genuine Cavaillé-Coll organ - either Saint-Ouen, Rouen played by

  • Wayne Marshal + Oslo Philharmonic under Mariss Jansons (penalty: orchestra is recorded elsewhere, though it's still outstanding!!) OR Notre-Dame de Paris pitting Philippe Lefèbvre against Jean-Claude Casadesus leading the Orchestre National de Lille/Région-Nord/Pas-de-Calai­s. [The penalty with the latter is the poor sound from a live TV-broadcast muffling much of everything plus the engineers somewhat neutering the organ in favour of the orchestra; nevertheless it's excellent!!] Also worth

  • checking out would be - if I recall correctly - Maurice Duruflé at St. Étienne-du-Mont (not a pure Cavaillé-Coll) with Georges Prêtre and the Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire de Paris (again, recorded at different locales even if done concurrently!). Yet another (again, separate recording locales + organ being neo-Baroquised at the time as well as dubbed in later): Herbert von Karajan + Berliner Philharmoniker with Pierre Cochereau at Notre-Dame-de-Paris

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  • i went and saw the sydney symphony perform this at the opera house yesterday and it was absolutely breathtaking. i love it and feel so lucky to have had the privilage to hear it played so beautifully live.

  • perfect

  • This is not only the best recording of this work, it is also one of the greatest recordings ever made. I have this on CD and vinyl and I personally prefer the vinyl although they are both fabulous.

    It conjures up so may things about France, but the ending can be summed up in two words LA GLOIRE. When I hear that incredible finale I see the French crashing to glorious defeat at Waterloo.

    If ever a piece of music had the WOW factor, this is it.

  • @MartinPadderborn

    Mr Munch great merit was bringing with Boston Pops, the music to the people, as a sight to rejoice ones ears. How splendid were both.

    The performance is so far, the greatest I have heard.

  • @jflaviovidal Charles Munch didn't conduct the Boston Pops, that was Arthur Fiedler. Munch was conductor of the Boston Symphony orchestra for 13 years and specialised in French orchestral music. His father was an organist so it's no wonder that his is the greatest recording of the Saint-Saens Organ Symphony.

    It will never be equalled.

  • @MartinPadderborn Fully concur re being one of the greatest recordings of all time.I have the C.D.,and it never fails to make my flesh creep.

  • excellent extraordinary e finale of this beautiful symphony by french author Camille Saint-säens

  • probably the best recording of saint saens symphony on youtube!

  • Vive le Roi!

  • hahah thank you nightrainbows111, i love this music and when you hear it and play it and its so loudd you just get taken away with the music, at the end your just like wow, we just played a 45 minute peice and it was incrediblee!!

  • My good Nightrainbows1111, your inspired comment says it all. Thank you for your response!

  • This symphony has one word written all over it: FRANCE!!! One sees St. Joan liberating the city of Orleans. Bravo Maitre MUNCH. This is the best recording you'll find of this work. It's still available.

  • inspired work

    inspired performance

    inspired comments from other listeners & viewers

    thanks !

  • i played this in a concert this saturday with 2 other orochestras, we were 166 musiciens to play this peice with the organ, it blew my mind. it was sooo insanee, i lovee it!

  • Wow, GIBZZZZZZ, sounds incredible !

  • DAMN, watching this in the library while writing a paper it almost brought me to tears just listening to it. talk about awkward.

    only 2 other pieces have ever been able to do that to me

  • I hear you fw . . .

    This piece has me in goose bumps from start to finish with the odd (embarrassing) choking back of tears hitting me every ten seconds or so.

    I see huge titans - 1 good and 1 evil - fighting it out over the fate of the universe, and, ultimately, JUST, good triumphs . . . at the climax.

    My favourite music of all time . . .

    Such Heroic music that just isn't made any more (well, maybe the odd Zimmer piece - but a lot of that is synthesized . . .)

  • i think the best version is with Pierre COCHEREAU and H.von KARAJAN at the great organ of Notre DAME

    la meilleur version reste celle de COCHEREAU/KARAJAN a Notre DAME de PARIS

  • UN-FUCKING-BELIEVABLE!!!!!!

  • Great music.

    The whole life in one symphony.

    Thank you for posting.

  • This is my plan for when I listen to this music in a live concert: before the Maestoso starts, I'll turn around to look at the spectators in order to catch their reactions of shock and surprise when the organ makes its big entrance.

  • If I could go to a live concert that is going to play this piece, it would be better than listening to any celebrated recording of it. No recording can catch the grandeur of the organ, but only a live listening can! I would drop my jaw if I heard a live one.

  • so true!

  • I saw it live today and indeed the mighty organ gave everyone goosebumbps. My all time favourite piece. Cheers

  • The part when the Dies Irae comes in is the saddest bit!

  • I adore this.

  • Heartbreaking melody.

  • Perfect! All the parts are absolutely clear (for example thanks to a correct organ sound). Great musicality! A real masterpiece!

  • I played this finale last year in my orchestra. It is absoulutely (argh.. spelling) brilliant. To be playing it is just... wow...

  • I can remember falling in love with this song when I first watched the film Babe, when I was three or four or so. I'm fourteen now, and I still consider this to be one of the most beautiful songs ever composed.

  • :)

    Its nice that you aren't the average teenager, who obviously think classical music as this sort of forbidden subject.

  • I agree. I'm 20 and bought this on vinyl yesterday. great music.

  • I heard it live three times by Munch and BSO. It was spectacular live like a religious experience. Unsurpassable.

  • Lucky man. When I was born, all the masters passed out.

  • Can only assume that's the great Aeolian-Skinner organ of Symphony Hall, Boston? That's a very sweet sound!

  • A superb performance of this lovely piece of music. Camille Saint-Saens would readily approve of it, I think!

  • This gives me shivers every time I listen.

    Who's Berj Zamkochian? He's good - is he still alive?