Franck

David Oistrakh (violin): The Warner Remastered Edition (Warner Classics)

A massive celebratory David Oistrakh box features strikingly good remasterings of his HMV legacy and a vast array of live and broadcast material [JW]

Franck Symphony Faure P et M DG 4866008

Franck: Symphony and Fauré: Pélleas et Mélisande (Deutsche Grammophon)

A look back at favourites from France in Barenboim’s Berlin return [PH]

Cherkassky FHR99

Shura Cherkassky (piano) The Ambassador Auditorium Recitals 1981-9 (First Hand Records)

A desirable collection that captures the Cherkassky magic [SG]

Brahms franck PASC706

Brahms & Franck: Symphonies (Pristine Audio)

One relative novelty, plus a valuable addition to Leinsdorf’s discography [SV]

mengelberg congebouw pristine

Willem Mengelberg (conductor) The Concertgebouw Telefunken Recordings Vol. 4 (Pristine Audio)

Further excellent performances and transfers in this ongoing series [PSt]

Catherine Collard (piano): The Complete Erato, EMI Classics and Virgin Classics Recordings (Erato)

The driven artistry of a tragically short-lived French pianist and sensitive collaborator [JW]

French album ORC100317

The French Album (Orchid Classics)

This is a very fine disc; in fact, c’est magnifique! [JQ]

Leopold Stokowski (conductor) BBC Legends Recordings 1963-74 (ICA Classics)

A collection of Stokowski’s live performances from the end of his career is inevitably something of a mixed bag [PCG]

Radu Lupu (piano): Live Vol. 1 (Doremi)

Some welcome additions to the pianist’s discography [SG]

Filigrane Genuin GEN24867

Adriana von Franqué (piano) Filigrane (Genuin)

Floating, atmospheric, finely crafted Parisian music [JF]

Franck: Les Béatitudes (Fuga Libera)

A fine performance of this ambitious but uneven work, but note the skimpy documentation [SB]

aarhus organ danacord

The Great Organ of Aarhus Cathedral (Danacord)

Superb performances, great sound quality, brilliant documentation and rewarding programming [JF]

Songs Sampson BIS2673

Carolyn Sampson (soprano) but I like to sing… (BIS)

A delight from start to finish – Carolyn Sampson is on effervescent form [JQ]

Franck Piano Sonata No1 Lazar Hanssler HC22055

Franck: Piano Works (Hänssler Classic)

Fabulous playing shows off Franck’s early virtuosity while impressing in the familiar late works [RCh]

Etoiles Poems BZ2007

Aux étoiles – French Symphonic Poems (Bru Zane)

A compact survey of favourites and unknowns beautifully presented and adroitly performed [JW]

angelus ad fontes

French Sacred Song (Ad Fontes)

A fascinating programme, with top class performances in excellent sound [GPu]

lekeu franck dupre-austrian gramophone

Lekeu, Franck & Dupré: Violin Sonatas (Austrian Gramophone)

Commendable performances of palpable sincerity [MC]

juilliard quartet great collaborations sony

Juilliard String Quartet: Great Collaborations Vol. 5 (Sony Classical)

An anthology of classic, highly varied recordings spanning over a quarter of a century from major music-makers [RMo]

Martin & Franck: Piano quintets (CAvi-Music)

Superb performances of both works: a rewarding coupling [SB]

franck hulda bru zane

Franck: Hulda (Bru Zane)

This splendid recording reveals Franck’s opera to be a work of power and beauty [SB]

klemperer warner remastered

Otto Klemperer (conductor): The Remastered Edition (Warner Classics)

Klemperer consolidated; his full Warner legacy in best-yet transfers [JW]

Luca Brugnoli (treble) Rise Up (Convivium Records)

A somewhat flawed recital from a remarkable young singer with real potential [MSt]

Franck rarities GP906

Franck: Piano Rarities (Grand Piano)

Despite some premiere recordings this is a disappointing recital [SB]

Franck: Trois pièces pour grand orgue (RecArt)

Powerful, exciting, dramatic and sometimes introspective music played on a remarkable organ [JF]