Franck: Symphony in D minor; Variations Symphonique

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At first blush, this EMI Encore reissue of César Franck's Symphony in D minor and the Symphonic Variations may seem like a routine product, of interest only to cost-conscious collectors or neophytes; but experienced listeners will find this budget album to be much better than its uninspiring appearance and low price might suggest. The Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse is a capable orchestra, fully at home in French repertoire, and their playing of these masterworks is passionate and committed, with a feeling of warmth and openness that speaks of great affection for the music. In the wrong hands, the Symphony in D minor can sound clinical and cerebral or, paradoxically, maudlin and melodramatic, but under the firm direction of Michel Plasson, the intellectual and emotional aspects of the work are well-balanced and properly controlled so the music never sounds like a parody. The same restraint and poise are evident in the solid performance of the Symphonic Variations, also led by Plasson and featuring pianist Jean-Philippe Collard; the soloist and the orchestra are generously responsive to each other and their sensitivity prevents their frequent exchanges from sounding artificial or stiff. Perhaps the only negative aspect of the recording that warrants a comment is the slightly muted digital sound, which is less than ideal by contemporary standards, but a lot better than average for 1986, the date of these performances.

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