Cesar Franck's passionate and sunny Violin Sonata has long been regarded as one of the greatest in the repertoire, and is the work of a composer at the height of his powers. Richard Strauss's Violin Sonata, composed a year after Franck's in 1887, is the work of a young composer on the cusp of discovering his mature voice; lyrical and sumptuous, it has all the hallmarks of his later style. Performed here by distinguished violinist and conductor Augustin Dumay and French-Canadian pianist Louis Lortie, this recording marks the duo's recording debut. In addition to the sonatas, this album includes two Franck rarities - Melancolie and the Prelude, Fugue and Variation Op.18 for organ, heard here in an arrangement by Dumay and Lortie. The recording concludes with the wonderful Heifetz arrangement of Strauss's song Auf stillem Waldespfad.
…While the better-known Franck symphony receives top billing on this album, Ernest Chausson's Symphony in B flat is a shining example of a student surpassing his teacher. Chausson's handling of the orchestra seems much more deft and natural. While elements of Franck's teaching are quite clear, so too are the influences of Wagner and Debussy. The sweeping melodies and lush accompaniments are again handled with the utmost attention to detail by Janowski and the OSR.
…While the better-known Franck symphony receives top billing on this album, Ernest Chausson's Symphony in B flat is a shining example of a student surpassing his teacher. Chausson's handling of the orchestra seems much more deft and natural. While elements of Franck's teaching are quite clear, so too are the influences of Wagner and Debussy. The sweeping melodies and lush accompaniments are again handled with the utmost attention to detail by Janowski and the OSR.