FRANCK, C.: Symphony / STRAUSS, R.: Metamorphosen (Dresden Staatskapelle, K. Sanderling, Suitner)

Chronique

What do Franck's D minor Symphony and Richard Strauss' Metamorphoses have in common that would warrant their partnership on a CD? Compositionally, commonalities are few. But Berlin Classics pleads the case -- successfully -- that these works were both composed toward the end of each composer's life. Both the D minor Symphony and the Metamorphoses serve as somewhat of a synopsis of Franck's and Strauss' oeuvre. For Franck, the symphony is a textbook example of his perpetual, cyclical use of materials. For Strauss, Metamorphoses is a return to the styles and techniques of his more youthful compositions. These two works share another commonality; they are both heard here performed by the Dresden Staatskapelle. The Franck symphony, led by Kurt Sanderling, is certainly the better of the two performances. Here, the orchestra's sound is tight, energetic, and forward moving -- an absolute must for this symphony, which is so susceptible to getting bogged down and tiresome. The same cannot be said of Metamorphoses, led by Otmar Suitner. The 23 solo string instruments selected from the Dresden Staatskapelle fail to produce a truly unified sound. Intonation at times is shaky, and overall sound quality is somewhat timid and uncertain. It's interesting how two recordings made by the same orchestra in the same year can produce such vastly different results.

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