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View of a Mediterranean Port by Angelo Garino
Sotheby’s Picture Library
CDA67037


View sleeve notes/artwork (PDF)
Recording details: December 1997
St George's, Brandon Hill, United Kingdom
Produced by Amanda Hurton
Engineered by Tony Faulkner
Release date: October 1998
Total duration: 70 minutes 36 seconds

'Lively and sensitive performances make this a fine addition to the Saint-Saëns discography, aided by the pianist's own excellent annotations and Hyperion's usual peerless sound' (Fanfare, USA)

'Piers Lane plays with a blend of grace and expertise which makes light of the many challenges offered by music which tests any artist to the full. Every bar is sheer delight' (Musical Opinion)

Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)
The Complete Études
Piers Lane (piano)
LISTEN TO ALL EXTRACTS
Six Études, Op 52
1
No 1: Prélude. Con bravura  [1'57]
2
No 2: Pour l'indépendence des doigts  [2'39]
3
No 3 Part 1: Prélude. Allegro  [2'09]
4
No 3 Part 2: Fugue. Animato  [1'46]
5
No 4: Étude de rythme. Andantino  [3'07]
6
No 5 Part 1: Prélude. Allegro moderato  [2'24]
7
No 5 Part 2: Fugue. Moderato  [4'04]
8
No 6: En forme de Valse  [6'17]
Six Études, Op 111
9
No 1: Tierces majeures et mineures  [2'18]
10
No 2: Traits chromatiques  [2'28]
11
No 3 Part 1: Prélude. Moderato agitato  [1'26]
12
No 3 Part 2: Fugue. Moderato espressivo  [4'08]
13
No 4: Les cloches de Las Palmas  [4'22]
14
No 5: Tierces majeures chromatiques  [2'15]
15
No 6: Toccata d'après le 5e Concerto  [4'10]
Six Études pour la main gauche seule, Op 135
16
No 1: Prélude. Allegretto moderato  [2'11]
17
No 2: Alla fuga. Allegro non troppo  [2'02]
18
No 3: Moto perpetuo  [1'55]
19
No 4: Bourrée. Molto allegro  [3'39]
20
No 5: Élégie. Poco adagio  [6'34]
21
No 6: Gigue. Presto  [1'42]
22
Thème Varié, Op 97  [7'03]

It is a bit of a mystery why Saint-Saëns's enjoyable Études are not better known. Perhaps it is their extreme awkwardness which deters pianists—these works are prime examples of a peculiarly French school of finger technique which requires absolute independence and equality for each digit, making no concession whatsoever to the weaker fingers or the shape of the hand.

The Opp 52 and 111 sets of Études each end with a barn-storming show-stopper, 'En forme de Valse' and 'Toccata d'après le 5e Concerto' respectively. The left-hand Études are perhaps less demanding, but nonetheless require a particular clarity and precision, being in essence a pastiche Baroque suite.

The Thème Varié, fundamentally a compendium of pianistic challenges, was written as a test piece for the Paris Conservatoire.