Flanders Symphony Orchestra & Kristiina Poska

Beethoven’s nine symphonies are not only the most famous in the whole of music history, they are the pillars of our canon of western symphonic music. Although Beethoven was born 250 years ago, his symphonies have not lost any of their relevance, and even contemporary composers still measure themselves against this musical giant.

This album is a well-thought-out program devoted to Romantic composer César Franck, who we don’t hear enough. The two piano solos, the Prélude, choral et fugue (1884) and the Prelude, Aria and Finale (1886-1887), find Franck favoring the tripartite form he loved, revealing a superbly expressive composer for the piano (he was an organist by profession). Tanguy de Williencourt gets under their skin and plays with poetry (the Choral is lovely) and real sweep. Joined by orchestra for the “Symphonic Variations,” he spreads his wings and gives a very impressive performance, while the slightly spooky “Les Djinns” is full of atmosphere.