Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921): Cadenza for "Africa" op.89

[Jupiterlibertas]

Fantastic!!!

[jonpianonelson]

As a musician I have always known that Camille Saint-Saens was a truly amazing composer.

However, I was totally unprepared to hear what  I just heard.

I think the person who speaks immediately after the piano stops playing is probaly saying the same thing as I said (albeit in another tongue)

FUCKING AMAZING. In awe.

[MrPlanx]

Franz Liszt once said that he felt like a small child just learning to play when he was confronted by the incredible talent of Saint Saens.

[OrangeSodaKing]

Oh my goodness! He was a tremendous pianist!

[gerardbedecarter]

This is a fascinating historical recording!

[kaleidoscopio2006]

who speaks after he finish the work?saint saens himself?

[vvsivakumar]

Thank you for posting this. Amazing sound for a 1904 recording.

[candidnt]

I intended to have this on in the background while I worked, but I was completely taken immediately...and at 0:40 I realized I wasn't breathing. This is perfectly controlled but overflowing with creativity and passion. I am in awe.

[kaleidoscopio2006]

anyone knows if he recorded his etude in form of waltz?

[joernbroeker]

actually, carl reinecke is the oldest pianist to record at all (*1824)

[d60944]

Reinecke's legacy are piano rolls, not recordings.

[gnolti]

Easily the best early clip by one of the masters. A treasure.

[ronanmurray]

Absolutely wonderful!

[pianopera]

This is really amazing. Not only crisp, cultured and charming with tremendous virtuosity but also a lot of passion! It must come close to Liszt's improvisations on opera's.

[zito22zito22]

yeah besides the fact that this isn't improvisation at all...

But it is sooo fast!!! Like.... I have this on my iPod, the exact same piece, and it lasts 9 minutes... I don't know piano realy much but as a violin player, I'd say what my teacher would say... YOU DON'T BREATH ENOUGH! XD

[SevenCircles]

@zito22zito22

He would propably run out of tape if he played it slower, the recording technology was very limited back then.