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Saint-Saens Symphony No.3

Back in the early 1950's I had the good fortune to hear Charles Munch and the BSO perform Saint-Saens "Organ Symphony" live at Symphony Hall with Berj Zamkochian at the organ. It was an awesome experience listening to the glorious sound of the BSO when it was arguably one of the finest orchestras in the world. It was even more awesome in the Maestoso final movement to experience the rumbling reverberations of the great organ in the ambience of that famous concert hall.

I read recently about tests performed in England on the physical and psychological effects of infrasonic vibrations on human beings - including paranormal and quasi-supernatural experiences some people claimed as a result of sensing those vibrations.

I don't know if it was the infrasonic vibrations of the organ in its lower register, but I remember leaving the hall that evening in an almost trance-like state.

A few years later I acquired a 1956 LP recording of the Munch/BSO "Organ Symphony" produced by RCA with its "Living Stereo" technology. At the time, audiophiles touted it as as a sonic marvel, and one of the best records for testing the bass response of their systems. I also had another highly-praised 1962 Mercury recording of Laray with the Detroit Symphony..

At the present time, I have five recordings on CDs of Saint Saens' Symphhony No.3: Three by Ormandy/Philadelphia with Michael Murray, E. Power Biggs and Virgil Fox, one by Dutoit/Montreal Symphony with Hurford, and my favorite, the remastered RCA Munch/BSO with Zamkochian. Even though the original recording technology is now 50 years old, RCA did a masterful job restoring the sonic glory of the BSO and the ambience of Symphony Hall.

I also have a CD of Munch/BSO Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique which I also heard performed live in the 1950's. It is another of my favorite nostalgic listens.

Regards

Barney


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  • Saint-Saens Symphony No.3 - BarneyT 10:02:03 03/23/07 (0)


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