I must say I've heard almost every modern Saint Saens Organ symphony
around, but no one does it like Munch.  Don't tell anyone, but my mind
usually wanders during the 1st and 3rd mov't.  Not with the Munch: the
energy and drive are irresistible.  What sets this performance of the
1st mov't apart is the clearly articulated staccato, the unusually pungent
reeds, and Munch's terracing of dynamics--which really screws up the
tension.  Very impressive in both 2-channel and 3-channel.  The Munch/Ravel
Daphnis is even better.  I thought Dutoit was the master here, but Munch's
even more atmospheric reading, (sample the "Prayer of Daphnis" that ends
part 1), takes first prize.  The choir that leads into Part 2 gets Ravel's
chord progressions incredibly right--just listen to the last 4 or 5
chords of the Interlude before the orchestral crash that leads into the
orgy of the pirates.

There is an interesting article in the new Absolute Sound regarding the
remastering of these treasures.  If you have old-recording phobia, you're
in for a surprise!  They are very good.  If you're on the verge of trying
the SACD format in two channel, you'll see that the Absolute Sound has
recommended a $250 Sony SACD player as one of their "Editor's Choice"
awards.  I know this is controversial, but IMHO SACD and analog *do* add
an emotional dimension I was not aware of during 20 years of redbook
collecting.  Do give these recordings a listen in the new format and
you'll know what I'm talking about.

John Smyth
Sac, CA