Septet in E flat major, Op 65
Tarentelle in A minor, Op 6
Bassoon Sonata in G major, Op 168
Piano Quartet in B flat major, Op 41
Piano Quintet in A minor, Op 14
Oboe Sonata in D major, Op 166
Clarinet Sonata in E flat major, Op 167
Caprice sur des airs danois et russes, Op 79

This exciting new double album from The Nash Ensemble presents an enchanting programme of chamber music by Camille Saint-Saëns, that quintessential figure of nineteenth-century French music-making. At the heart of the set come the Piano Quartet and Piano Quintet, composed in 1875 and 1855, respectively. The quintet exudes a youthful confidence and swagger, the piano part leading the way, while the quartet quickly established itself as a staple of the repertory. Saint-Saëns was a passionnate promoter of his own music – being all too aware that the name of a contemporary composer on a concert bill represented the kiss of death – and brought about many performances of his own works (and those of his contemporaries, establishing the Société Nationale de Musique in 1871 for this purpose). One result of this passion for which we must be especially grateful was that Saint-Saëns frequently wrote for the ‘forces available’, and this set opens with a rare septet for trumpet, string quintet and piano (the result of a playful commission from a chamber music society known as ‘La Trompette’), a jaunty work embracing seventeenth-century dance forms within a neoclassical style (perhaps fortunately, the composer appears never to have fulfilled his original promise to the society to compose a piece for guitar and thirteen trombones). In the last year of his life Saint-Saëns set out to compose sonatas for each of the main woodwind instruments and piano. Those for cor anglais and flute were never written, but the sonatas for oboe, bassoon and clarinet here join with a tarantella (for flute, clarinet and piano) and a caprice (delightfully combining Danish and Russian themes and the sonorities of flute, oboe, clarinet and piano) to conclude the programme.

CHAMBER DISC OF THE MONTH (BBC Music Magazine)

'[The] Sonatas are all played with an ideal combination of infectious virtuosity and phrasal sensitivity to have these all-too-rarely heard works come dancing off the page. Sensational flautist Philippa Davies is on hand to add her own special brand of artistry … and producer Andrew Keener and engineer Simon Eadon typically capture the proceedings with their usual magical blend of warmth and clarity, making this an issue to cherish. The Nash Ensemble could hardly wish for a finer musical testimonial in this their fortieth birthday year' (International Record Review)

'These are full-blooded performances, packed with energy and colour, and every corner is turned under complete control' (BBC Music Magazine)

'…this is a set of sheer delight: let's hear it for imaginative conservatism' (Gramophone)

'It is a charming collection, beautifully played; this is precisely the repertoire in which the Nash excels … The opening cantilena of the Oboe Sonata is positively rapturous … just as the mysterious fugal introduction to the finale of the early Piano Quintet [is] fabulously played by cellist Paul Watkins and violist Lawrence Power' (The Guardian)

'A legend in his own lifetime, Saint-Saëns tantalises us with distinctive, lively and imaginative pieces, explored and played with terrific vivacity and style' (Classic FM Magazine)

'It is repertoire that really shows up the ensemble's strengths and its ability to encompass the richest ensemble-playing, as well as the exposed solo work required of the accompanied sonata medium … there is plenty of mellifluously drawn melodic writing, playful harmonic twists and textural ingenuity to enjoy' (The Daily Telegraph)

'a splendid two-disc set … mounted with that special sparkle they always bring to French repertoire' (The Times)

'The Nash Ensemble, a British organisation that alters its makeup as the situation requires, has a long and distinguished history on record. This latest offering continues the tradition. Warmly recommended' (Fanfare, USA)

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Recording details: July 2004; Henry Wood Hall, London, United Kingdom; Release date: May 2005;