Time for a Franck reappraisal
Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra/ Jean-Luc Tingaud Franck & Chausson: Symphonies Naxos, out now
Many symphonies are neglected for a very good reason: they’re not much good. With César Franck’s solitary symphony, the explanation is more complicated. Right at the end of his life he produced a threemovement symphony of great power and eloquence, which has always won friends among major symphonic conductors, led by Pierre Monteux, whose 1960s version still sounds really good.
When I first heard it as a teenager, I imagined this to be a hugely esteemed symphony you could find everywhere. While it’s true that conductors such as Toscanini also recorded it, at best it’s a rarely heard treat. And this is indeed a treat. A brand new Naxos album featuring the excellent Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, who play their hearts out here, under the well-regarded French conductor Jean-Luc Tingaud.
Not only do you get a powerful version of Franck’s symphony, but also an interesting account of Chausson’s symphony. Chausson was one of Franck’s many pupils, but is not as well remembered as he ought to be. I hope this recording will change that.
Franck’s many and various compositions for organ, and his worthy but dull reputation as a man – with none of the flamboyance of some of his contemporaries such as Massenet – have tended to obscure some fine, and in some cases lively, music, led of course by this symphony, which
I defy anyone not to listen to with an open mind and really like.
His Symphonic Variations for piano and orchestra once again is blighted by a boringly off-putting title, but the music is charming, with a couple of fine tunes. While his Violin Sonata can definitely be mentioned in the same breath as Brahms and Beethoven, but not many people do.
Best of all is the delightful choral piece, Panis Angelicus, totally memorable and a huge favourite of Pavarotti, who made several acclaimed recordings.
Time to bring César Franck in from the cold, and this outstanding Naxos release is a good way to begin.