Roars for thought

Four fine recordings

Güher & Süher Pekinel (piano) et al; Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France/ Marek Janowski

Apex 2564621252 (1990) Accompanied by a large ensemble, the Pekinel twins lead us through Saintsaëns’s bestiary at quite a lick. It all makes for a thrilling ride.

Frank Braley & Michel Dalberto (piano), Renaud Capuçon (violin), Gautier Capuçon (cello), Emmanuel Pahud (flute), Paul Meyer (clarinet) et al

Erato 545 6032 (2003) A smaller-scale affair than the above, performed by an all-star cast, not least cellist Gautier Capuçon as soloist in ‘The Swan’.

Martha Argerich & Antonio Pappano (piano) et al; Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia Orchestra

Warner Classics 9029575555 (2017) Argerich and Pappano are in riotous form here – contrast the high jinks of their wayward ‘Pianists’ with the more straightlaced and sensible Pekinels.

Richard Casey & Ian Buckle (piano) et al; Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/vasily Petrenko; Alexander Armstrong (narrator)

Warner Classics 9029575952 (2017) For a version with narration, Alexander Armstrong, of TV’S Pointless fame, brings oodles of character to Ogden Nash’s accompanying verse.

And one to watch out for… Duo Jatekok (piano) et al; Orchestre National de Lille/lucie Leguay

Alpha ALPHA749 Having already distinguished themselves in Ravel and Poulenc, Duo Jatekok’s new recording is due to be released on 27 August – look out for our review in a future issue of BBC Music Magazine!