Lionel’s new CD Saint-Saëns: La Muse et le Poète; Violin Concerto No. 3; Cello Concerto No. 1, is out now. Released by the newly revived Erato Records, the CD was recorded by Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France and features the enigmatic Renaud and Gautier Capuçon on violin and cello. Although the brothers have collaborated in chamber music, it is rare they come together in an orchestral setting, which befits the unique nature of La Muse et le Poète: Saint-Saëns said of the piece, “There is certainly nothing quite like it: instead of being a contest between two virtuosos, it is a conversation between two individuals.”

The first Cello Concerto was composed during Saint-Saëns’ creative prime and is regarded by many as a pinnacle of the entire cello repertoire. The third Violin Concerto is the last concerto he wrote for the instrument and shows a greater maturity than the first two.

The disc received a glowing 5* review from The Telegraph: “These sensitively imagined performances, conducted by Lionel Bringuier, make for essential listening.”