Saint-Saëns: 3. Sinfonie (»Orgelsinfonie«) ∙ hr-Sinfonieorchester ∙ Iveta Apkalna ∙ Riccardo Minasi 

A French Composer , a German orchestra, an Islandic women playing the organ and not least an Italian conducting ii! What a super presentation to this glorious symphony,!!!

My local orchestra (Dallas Symphony Orchestra) performed this when I was 17-years-old (in 2009) and I'll never forget it. I went the week of my birthday. The organ blasted me back against my seat as I was overwhelmed with involuntary tears of joy and triumph. The notes soared as the orchestra seemingly bathed the entire symphony hall with light, swept space clean, and left nothing but the joy of an unobstructed effort.

Wow! What an ending ! The conductor s eyes glued on the timpanist pounding the last strokes on the timpani drums. BRAVO

This is one of my favorite symphonies. The part that I really love is where the organ joins full-throated into the rest of the orchestra.

Excellent. The orchestra's timing, synchronization and punctuation is perfect. So tight. I don't know how they do it.

Saw this performed live at St. George’s Hall Bradford last night by the Belgian National Orchestra. Storming performance, ten minute standing ovation. When the organ came crashing in like a thunderbolt at the start of the final movement I nearly fell over the Dress Circle balcony! 😮😲

Terrific Performance of the world,s greatest organ symphony of all time !!!!!

WUNDERVOLL IM KLANG UND TREMPI. RELAXEN WIRD GANZ EINFACH. GUTE LAUNE GARANTIERT, DANK AN DAS ORCHESTER UND DIRIGENT.

Unbelievably well performed. This work is a challenge to any orchestra - much of everything. Preserving the dynamics is the key, which is proven by in this great performance.

I'm so happy that I can hit "7" on my keyboard and it goes straight to the most famous part of this great piece!

most underrated pro orchestra. Incredible sound, even better interpretation.

Great peace. Great orchestra. Iveta was incredibly magical in the organ. Riccardo did an amazing job directing. The timpani player leaved me breathless. Bravo

The first movement of this Symphony is just pure, masterful art. Transcendental, universal art.

I. 0:30 Adagio 1:40 Allegro moderato 12:07 Poco adagio II. 22:40 Allegro moderato 24:22 Presto 26:47 Allegro moderato 28:23 Presto 29:59 Allegro Moderato 30:31 Maestoso 32:28 Allegro

FAN-TA-STIC, OUT-STAN-DING !!!!! I have no words !!!! Never heard such a more passionate final !!!! It makes one's soul vibrate ! Great Director, great organist, great orchestra and a special thank you to the video director and cameramen: it is for their great work that we can enjoy such an oustanding concert !

To hear the piano play inside the score instead of solo makes this one of the greatest accomplishment s beyond BRAVO WAHUUUUU

THE BEST SAINT SAEN “. ORGAN SYMPHONY” EVER HEARD! AWESOMELY MAJESTIC! BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO!!!!!!!!

I listen to these concerts while doing online classes. Makes it bearable and less toxic. Thank you so much.

Excellent performance by everyone -- orchestra, organist, timpanist, pianist and especially the conductor, who's enthusiasm radiated throughout .

This is the most excited I've felt in 20 years! Pure emotion!

What a fabulous performance of a fabulous symphony! Been a firm favourite over 60 years! Great orchestra, conductor, organist! Loved it! Thanks for the post. Jamshed K Delvadavala Mumbai.

MAESTRO!!! Che BELLA interpretazione!! Parlo italiano sperando che mi legga anche Lei (e anche perché non so l'inglese). Ho ascoltato a lungo questa esecuzione e, pur conoscendola molto bene (sono organista), ho scoperto colori, dettagli, sapori che non avevo mai gustato. GRAZIE. Anche della...umanità che trapela dal pathos interpretativo, certo, ma anche dalla direzione così partecipe... senza bacchetta... cordiale e "dentro" la partitura. BRAVO! E bravi tutti (organista di squisita sensibilità)!

This is by far THE up and coming orchestra in Europe! Every live performance has been nothing but IMPRESSIVE!!! I only pray that before I pass into the big concert hall in the sky, I have an opportunity to conduct this GREAT Orchestra. Auf Deutsch: Das ist mit Abstand DAS Nachwuchsorchester in Europa! Jeder Live-Auftritt war nichts als BEEINDRUCKEND!!! Ich bete nur, dass ich, bevor ich in den großen Konzertsaal im Himmel gehe, Gelegenheit habe, dieses GROSSE Orchester zu dirigieren.

The sheer JOY expressed by the musician in their playing of the last movement brought tears to my eyes. Bravo! Brava! What a performance!

Honestly this symphony is one of my favorite

This is a cracking performance from an orchestra which is fast becoming a favourite. Thank goodness we have such a wonderful archive open to us on RU-vid, especially given these times of the pandemic.

Bravo Maestro Minasi, Brava Iveta Apkalna, Bravi Frankfurt Radio Symphony!!!!!! I would love to hear this symphony performed at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ when the restoration of the Midmer-Losh Organ is complete. I can only imagine the final chord played with the 64' Diaphone-Dulzian in the pedal!!!!!! Auf Deutsch: Bravo Maestro Minasi, Brava Iveta Apkalna, Bravi hr-Symphonie Frankfurt!!!!!! Ich würde diese Symphonie gerne in der Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ, hören, wenn die Restaurierung der Midmer-Losh-Orgel abgeschlossen ist. Ich kann mir nur den Schlussakkord vorstellen, der mit dem 64' Diaphone-Dulzian im Pedal gespielt wird!!!!!!

At 28.37 you know it’s imminent. At 30.22 you are blown to the stars 😲. What genius, thank you Camille.

saint-seans is underated seriously

(31:04) Jetzt weiß ich, wo diese wunderschöne Melodie herkommt. Danke für die tolle Aufführung und fürs sharen auf RU-vid!!

One of the best renditions I've ever heard.

Magnificent. Absolutely magnificent! Every detail, every phrase: perfect! And thank you for including the applause afterward. Those of us watching from afar like to see the orchestra getting the recognition they deserve.

Surely one of the best performances of one of the best works of all time.

It is a show stopper, without doubt Saint-Saens best work. I heard it played in Sydney Opera House, what an experience! This is indeed a wonderful rendition, brilliant tempi throughout.

It's one of the orchestra songs that I really love. This melody touches my heart and gives me a happy feeling that is like in a heaven

Outstanding performance, I like it. Apkalna is a brilliant organist who understands this score very well, her performance with Mariss Janson/ Concertgebow Orchestra bares the similarly in fine execution of organ. Very fine. Bravo.

Thank you for posting this splendid performance of this great masterpiece! I have enjoyed the music of Saint-Saens since I was 12 years old- over 60 years ago! He left us a superb legacy, filled with wonderful music- the symphonies, so many concerti, symphonic poems, chamber music, and operas [beyond Samson et Dalila, there is Henry VIII, Etienne Marcel and Proserpine, at least, which should be much better known] a great composer. thank you!

この曲が大好き😊 この動画の演奏は今日初めて聴きました😃 超絶素晴らしいです！！

first time I watch this conductor. excellent

I really haven't been aware of or heard much Saint Saens but, after this, I think that will change. I love the transition at about the 30:30 mark which left me with goose bumps. I have listened to this piece three times today. To me, this is what music should provide the listener and it did. Absolutely lovely!

Possibly the best conductor out there right now. He re-imagines the works he conducts and they come out sounding almost new again. He also seems to get the strongest, most involved, most emotional playing from the orchestra. His Mozart symphonies on Harmonia Mundi show the same. He pays attention to the details and brings out new sonorities we don't often get to appreciate in those works we have heard one hundred times or more, and though not slow, he does not rush the orchestra through passages most conductors seem to pay little attention to and hurry through.

Wow, that's great, the use of the organ and four-hand piano creates a very different orchestral feel 🥰

There is something extraordinary in this performance . From Tokyo of the Land of the Rising Sun 🇯🇵

Wonderful, exciting, beautiful music. Less is more. Iveta Apkalna is all business and instils huge amounts of drama into this powerful work. A brilliant orchestra. Dirigent ! ! The power of the organ parts are truly astonishing. This is the kind of music where those big pipe organs truly come into their own. Kudos to all. ❤❤❤

This is the first recording I've heard where I haven't had trouble keeping track of the beat during the 1st main theme. Usually my ear follows the off-beat strings but this orchestra's balance is excellent!

This orchestra has such a refined sound.

Brava!! One of my favorites! They played as one, no egos. fantastic!

Культура поведения на сцене высокая 👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

Frankfurt Radio Orchestra. One of the greats today.

Es gibt wirklich immer wieder Interpretationen, die sprachlos machen… Und diese hier gehört dazu! ^ There are indeed some Performances which leave one speechless… And this one belongs to it! Absolute Bravissimo! 👏

I usually listen to music in the background, but this could not stay in the background for me. AMAZING! Thank you so much! Merci beaucoup! Danke sehr! Grazie mille! Liels tev paldies!

Molt bona interpretació. Direcció enèrgica i magistral de Ciccardo Minasi la Organista sensacional.

The orchestra has a great balance, and the tempi are not forced or frantic.

Apart from the Carnival of the Animals, this is the first piece by Saint-Sáens I ever heard. I know there are other fans of this composer so I don't feel any shame in admitting that I love so many of his works. The first movement is special very special and makes this symphony a real stand out piece. Glad to see the Frankfurters giving their best here!

Very passionate, emotional and fine precision. The organist is exceptional and outstanding!

An excllent orchestra and one of my favorities. !!!

I've not heard a better performance, maybe not one as good. I agree with Tom Aldrich about the sublime section. When I first heard this symphony, that section with the pianos transported me beyond my senses into utter blackness and a sense of serenity.

Simply awesome. One of my favourite symphonies, and the Frankfurt Radio Symphony are fast becoming a favourite orchestra.

A fantastic interpretation of a famous song by Camille Saint Saens. Many thanks for a wonderful experience.

Удивил ютуб, как бы невзначай подсунув еще одно исполнение симфонии №3 Сен-Санса. Шикарный оркестр, шикарное исполнение. Почувствовал нюансы. Ну так и должно быть. Рикардо Минаси на высоте. Но и Джарви вполне на уровне. Спасибо огромное. Привет из Киева.

interpretation sublime de cet oeuvre sans pareil..nous a soulagé dans ces jours difficiles... Mci hr-symphonie de partager et Bravissimo a tutti!!

A compelling, beautiful rendition of this wonderful Symphony thank you.

Quelle merveille ! Cette œuvre me transporte chaque fois, et cette interprétation est remarquable.

I love every performance of this wonderful Orchestra💕

La mejor interpretación de esta obra que conozco. Maravillosa. Grandísimo Riccardo Minasi y orquesta

I like his conducting very much.

Such a wonderful Orchestra. They play so well - truly top-tier

Bravo orquesta, director, organista y bravo Saint Saens!!

La entrada del órgano en el segundo tiempo (minuto 30:30) causa una impresión majestuosa. Esa apoteosis da a la sinfonía todo su sentido trascendente.

Thank you so much for giving me wonderful time during stressful days due to Coronavirus.

Tout est parfait, interprètes, direction, prise de son et vidéo, un vrai bonheur, un grand cadeau, merci❤

0:30 - I. Adagio - Allegro moderato [1:40] 12:05 - 1b. Poco adagio 22:40 - II. Allegro Moderato - Presto 30:31 - 2b. Maestoso - Allegro

fantastic, i love it, ever and ever ;)

That moment at 30.34 - I’m holding my breath. The organ blows everyone away. Cannot hear it too many times 😲

I'm hearing this composer for the first time and WOW! This blew me away! THANK YOU!

For me, is the best orchestra

Great and satisfying presentation. A big thank you to everyone who made this possible

Absolutely super - wonderful - very well done, and thank you for this upload :)

Magnifico! Bravo! This rendering of this symphony has given me inspiration when I play this piece in our local orchestra. The energy coming from this orchestra was astounding!

Spectacular performance! One of the best I have heard of this wonderful symphony.

Beautiful. Just beautiful.

Why is this performance so amazing? Part of it is the slower tempo in parts. The first movement is almost 12 minutes long even when subtracting 30 seconds between the beginning of the video and the first entrance of the orchestra. Both Paul Paray and Charles Munch made famous recordings that are now frequently cited as references. The first movement in both of these recordings is about 10 minutes long. So how much difference does it make when another recording is almost two minutes longer? The answer is absolutely huge. One conductor who was known as for interpreting things much slower is Sergiu Celibidache. Listeners are wildly divided over his interpretations, but for me some of them are quite amazing. In this recording, Riccardo Minasi in my opinion is doing much the same thing. There is so much detail, so many things that I have never heard from any other conductor. After at least a dozen listenings there is no other interpretation that I want to hear. He stops time. Not only am I mesmerized by what he is doing, it immediately pushed me to explore everything else I can find by Riccardo Minasi. I think this may be the slowest performance I have been able to find, and I have done quite a bit of checking. The miraculous part is that it seems to go on forever and at the same time it seems to be over in almost no time at all. I was out walking while listening last night and about 38 minutes of music went by so fast that I couldn't believe it. Let's add to this fact that this marvelous orchestra plays as well as any orchestra I have ever heard, both in live performances and on recordings. What should we mention first? The strings? The woodwinds? The brass? The percussion? The whole group is a wonder! The recording quality is incredible. And as a bonus to all the rest, look at the way the video was shot. I find this whole thing an absolute miracle. I would say that this performance is one of the ten best I have heard in my lifetime, and I would not pick any other as superior. The fact that it is live is absolutely stunning.

Refined, exciting and breath-taking! I was mesmerized! Bravi!

Wonderful! Majestic! Every movement played with perfection.

EXEMPLARISCH !!! Großartig musiziert - Chapeau für alle Mitwirkenden!

An epic performance, masterly, once again, from this fabulous orchestra. Thank you so much. This symphony is up there with Beethoven and Wagner. Simply sublime.

Magnificent finale. !!

Awesome playing! That was a truly inspired performance that left me riveted - BRAVI!

La musique apaise les âmes tourmentées. Merci pour votre talent.

Majestic symphony!

Absolutely magnificent.

Semplicemente superbi!! Magnifica interpretazione di una tra le più belle sinfonie del romanticismo francese. Sound meraviglioso.

A thrilling performanc of a gigantic masterwork. Bravissimo

Excelente! Maravilhoso!

Splendide interprétation. Bravo !

Wonderful, beautiful , well done !

Perfeito👏👏👏 muito lindo!

Superb, thank you very much.

Wunderschöne Aufführung dieser einzigartig doch perfekt komponierten Sinfonie mit majestätischem Ton der Orgel sowie gut harmonisierten und perfekt synchronisierten Tönen anderer Instrumente. Der intelligente Maestro dirigiert das ausgezeichnete Orchester im gut phrasierten Tempo und mit möglichst effektiver Dynamik. Einfach wunderbar!

Great music 👌👏