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 and Fauré: Pélleas et Mélisande (Deutsche Grammophon)
A look back at favourites from France in Barenboim’s Berlin return [PH]
Shura Cherkassky (piano) The Ambassador Auditorium Recitals 1981-9 (First Hand Records)
A desirable collection that captures the Cherkassky magic [SG]
Brahms & Franck: Symphonies (Pristine Audio)
One relative novelty, plus a valuable addition to Leinsdorf’s discography [SV]
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]
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]
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]
The Great Organ of Aarhus Cathedral (Danacord)
Superb performances, great sound quality, brilliant documentation and rewarding programming [JF]
Carolyn Sampson (soprano) but I like to sing… (BIS)
A delight from start to finish – Carolyn Sampson is on effervescent form [JQ]
Franck: Piano Works (Hänssler Classic)
Fabulous playing shows off Franck’s early virtuosity while impressing in the familiar late works [RCh]
Aux étoiles – French Symphonic Poems (Bru Zane)
A compact survey of favourites and unknowns beautifully presented and adroitly performed [JW]
French Sacred Song (Ad Fontes)
A fascinating programme, with top class performances in excellent sound [GPu]
Lekeu, Franck & Dupré: Violin Sonatas (Austrian Gramophone)
Commendable performances of palpable sincerity [MC]
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)
This splendid recording reveals Franck’s opera to be a work of power and beauty [SB]
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: 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]
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