COMPOSERS: Franck
LABELS: EMI
WORKS: Symphony In D minor; Symphonic Variations; Le chasseur maudlt
PERFORMER: Alexis Weissenberg (piano)Orchestre de Paris, Berlin PO/Herbert von Karajan Philadelphia Orchestra/Riccardo Muti
CATALOGUE NO: COM 7 64747 2 ADD (1970/73/83)
Despite the unusually generous grouping of Franck's three most popular orchestral works, I cannot unreservedly recommend this CD. Karajan's symphony is majestic and mystical and he is deeply sensitive to the ebb and flow of the music, but his tendency to excessively slow tempi can border on the turgid. Weissenberg in the variations is pleasing if a shade reticent; I miss the authority and brilliance of Curzon. Muti's Le chasseur is enthralling. Ian Lace
Franck: Symphony In D minor; Symphonic Variations; Le chasseur maudlt
Despite the unusually generous grouping of Franck's three most popular orchestral works, I cannot unreservedly recommend this CD. Karajan's symphony is majestic and mystical and he is deeply sensitive to the ebb and flow of the music, but his tendency to excessively slow tempi can border on the turgid. Weissenberg in the variations is pleasing if a shade reticent; I miss the authority and brilliance of Curzon. Muti's Le chasseur is enthralling. Ian Lace
Our rating
3
Published: January 20, 2012 at 3:47 pm