‘The Classical Review’s Best Recordings of 2011’
One of the great discoveries of the year was this collection of never-before-recorded ballet music from operas by Saint-Saëns. It was delivered to altogether surprising – and sublime – effect by Australian powerhouse partnership in the making, Orchestra Victoria and Guillaume Tourniaire, with all the remarkable clarity that one has come to expect of the enterprising Melbourne-based Melba Recordings. An obligatory release for all lovers of rare French music, that makes you wonder why this supremely dramatic, emotional, colorful, evocative, and often exciting music has been ignored for so long.