by Saint-Saens/Laurendeau
Disc: Saint-Saens: Music for Wind Ensemble
Recording: Band of the RAF College
Conductor: Jun Markl
Publisher: Naxos 8.574234
A fine selection of Camille Saint-Saens transcriptions adorn this excellent recording by the Band of the RAF College. Some transcriptions are familiar to bandsmen such as the Bacchanale from Samson and Delilah (Leigh Steiger) Marche Heroique (Frank Winterbottom) and March Militaire Francaise (Dan Godfrey. Orient et Occident is one of Saint-Saens’ original works for band and appears in the newly edited setting by Timothy Reynish and Bruce Perry. Of special interest is Pas Redouble in the arrangement by Auguste Josneau which predates the very popular setting by Arthur Frackenpohl. There is so much to enjoy with this exquisite, well-interpreted recording.
