Search - Gabriel Faure, Cesar Franck, Antonio de Almeida :: Franck: Symphonic Variations; D'Indy: Symphony on a French Mountain Air

A beautiful bargain

12/27/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Exquisite

Joshua Grasso | Oxford, OH USA | 08/30/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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!

Joshua Grasso | 06/07/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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."