Franck

Not so much golden as silver oldies. Munch’s view of the Franck Symphony is big-boned but coarsely recorded lacking sufficient space and drama. Le chasseur maudit brisker than Cluytens, musically characterful and sonically richer, makes a stronger impression. Pennario’s routine Symphonic Variations, not in Rubinstein’s class, offers little beyond the notes; the piano sound is unlovable. As with other releases in RCA’s Classical Navigator collection, the (unsigned) inlay notes are of a naivety and banality beggaring description. Ates Orga