Franck: Symphonic Variations; D'Indy: Symphony on a French Mountain Air

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The D'Indy "Symphony" (really a piano concerto in all but name) used to be an extremely popular piece, but it seems to have disappeared entirely from concert programs. A couple of years ago, I talked a community orchestra into agreeing to play it, and we found a pianist--a hot-shot virtuoso, who agreed to do it as a "favor" since he would have preferred a "real concerto." Well, he waited until just before the concert before looking at the score, only to discover that he couldn't learn the music in time! We did find a substitute, but the point is that this is a more technically challenging (and musically rewarding) work than many more famous pieces, so if you like piano concertos, you'll want both this piece, as well as this smashing, budget-priced recording of it. --David Hurwitz

Tracks:

Symphonic Variations
Ballade In F Sharp Major, Op. 19
Symphony on a French Mountain Air, Op.25 (Symphonie Cevenole): Assez lent
Symphony on a French Mountain Air, Op.25 (Symphonie Cevenole): Assez modere
Symphony on a French Mountain Air, Op.25 (Symphonie Cevenole): Anime

Amazon.com

The D'Indy "Symphony" (really a piano concerto in all but name) used to be an extremely popular piece, but it seems to have disappeared entirely from concert programs. A couple of years ago, I talked a community orchestra into agreeing to play it, and we found a pianist--a hot-shot virtuoso, who agreed to do it as a "favor" since he would have preferred a "real concerto." Well, he waited until just before the concert before looking at the score, only to discover that he couldn't learn the music in time! We did find a substitute, but the point is that this is a more technically challenging (and musically rewarding) work than many more famous pieces, so if you like piano concertos, you'll want both this piece, as well as this smashing, budget-priced recording of it. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Exquisite .......2005-08-30

This is a stunning disc. If you enjoy 19th century French music at all, and don't know these works, you have no excuse. Especially when the music comes at super budget price from a respected label like Naxos. Okay, the Penguin guide is a little dismissive of this disc, saying that Francois-Joel Thiollier isn't as competitive as the big names. Rubbish. He's a fantastic pianist who gives color to any piece he plays, as his recordings of the Ravel concertos and de Falla's Nights in the Gardens on Spain can attest (also on Naxos). The ever-reliable National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland is completely first rate, and the sound is one of Naxos' best. You simply cannot be disappointed by the performances of these works, and though there may well be better versions out there, where can you find all these works on one disc? And they go together so beautifully...

Shamefully, it took me well over 10 years to discover the sheer beauty that is Franck's Symphonic Variations. It's one of the most concise and dramatic works of the century, particularly in a period that was known for its verbosity. It's every bit as passionate as his famous D minor symphony, but unlike that magnificent work, it has dashes of humor and playfulness. The surprise in this program is Faure's Ballade, a gently unfolding piece that reveals its charms slowly, over a few listens. But it's quite dramatic in its way, with a broad, sensuous melody that becomes very compelling. I've heard the solo version of the Ballade, and I think the orchestration, though subtle, adds just the right amount of color and atmosphere. And then there's the show stopper by D'Indy, Symphony on a French Mountain Air, which is right up there with de Falla's famous concertante work. Both works reek of nationalist perfumes, exotic colorings, and exquisite melodies. This work is jaw-droppingly effective, and only gets better with repeated listenings. From the brooding, dramatic first movement, we pass into a tender, mysterious slow movement, and then into the rollicking finale with the most memorable melody in the world. It's irresistable.

So in short, a fabulous disc, beautifuly played, with some of the most engaging piano/orchestra literature in the 19th century. I waited far too long before buying this disc. Don't make my mistake.

Good performances for a great price!.......2000-06-07

This disc is a good choice if you do not want to buy a $15+ CD featuring these works. The symphonic variations and the ballade, especially, are worth having in your collection. Good playing. 'Nuff said.

A beautiful bargain.......1999-12-28

This disc is well worth its price -- and more! All three compositions found here are played quite well by Thiollier. The Franck Variations highlight this disc; the Faure Ballade is also deserving of much praise. The d'Indy Symphony is a unique, delightful work which should be taken up by more pianists. Thank you, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, for also recording this work that suffers from unjust neglect.

Average customer rating:

Look to another Label for this Work.
Classic Cluytens, If You Don't Already Have It

André Cluytens Conducts Franck & d'Indy

Manufacturer: Testament UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000060K9I
Release Date: 2002-05-14

Customer Reviews:

Look to another Label for this Work........2007-06-27

The Orchestre de la Societe du Conservatoire is inadequate for serious listeners and music lovers. Neither Andre Cluytens (the conductor) nor Aldo Ciccolini (the pianist) is at his best and they are frequently not together in this performance. The Testament Label ADD recording is technically inferior ~ and not just because the original recording dates to a 1953 performance. I would recommend the Montreal Symphony / Thibideaux recording for anyone interested in adding this work to his music collection.

Classic Cluytens, If You Don't Already Have It.......2004-02-24

Those of you who have read my reviews previously know how much I love the Testament label. This small independent UK label has made a mission out of rescuing brilliant golden-age stereo performances from the vaults of labels like EMI and Decca. Sure they cost full-price, but the glowing accounts are generally worth it. However, a recent batch of reissues featuring legendary conductor Andre Cluytens will be hard for many to justify buying. Not because of the performances, which are breathtaking, but because much of the material is not new to CD. On this title for example, the 1953 mono recordings of Franck's Symphonic Variations and d'Indy's Symphony on a French Mountain Air with pianist Aldo Ciccolini have been available already on a 4-disc EMI France Import called "Andre Cluytens as Accompanist." Yes, that set is now out-of-print but serious collectors will have already picked it up years ago. (I found mine at Tower D.C. cut-out for next to nothing and there must have been thirty of them in the bin.) You have to be a really serious collector to buy a full-price CD for just the 1953 account of the Franck Symphony. It's too bad Testament couldn't have shuffled the tracks around on the seven Cluytens titles to avoid mixing unissued and reissued performances. For those new to Cluytens this will not be a big deal, but considering Testament caters to collectors, it will be for most.

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