Piano Concerto No. 3 In E-Flat Major, Op. 29 / Allegro Appassionato, Op. 70 / Rhapsodie D'Auvergne, Op. 73 / Caprice-Valse "Wedding Cake," Op. 76 / Fantasie "Africa," Op. 89

This 1970s and 80s era recording features the French pianist Philippe Entremont performing a selection of works by Camille Saint-Saëns, accompanied by the Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse under the baton of Michel Plasson. The collection was released on the CBS label, later integrated into Sony, as part of a broader initiative to record the complete piano concertos and major concertante works of Saint-Saëns. These pieces span a significant portion of the composer's career, showcasing his transition from the rigorous structures of the mid-19th century to the more virtuosic and colorful textures of his later compositions.

Philippe Entremont, known for his refined approach to French Romantic repertoire, brought a characteristic clarity and rhythmic precision to these recordings. Michel Plasson, an expert in the French symphonic tradition, provided an idiomatic orchestral foundation that emphasizes the sparkle and wit inherent in Saint-Saëns' writing, particularly in lighter works like the 'Wedding Cake' caprice. At the time of their release, these recordings were well-regarded by critics for their technical facility and for highlighting the diverse stylistic range within Saint-Saëns' body of work, helping to sustain interest in these less frequently programmed concertante pieces.