Search - Cesar Franck, Riccardo Muti, Philadelphia Orchestra :: César Franck: Symphony in D minor; Le Chasseur Maudit

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Charles Emmett | Oroville, California (the boonies) | 07/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is my second ever recording by Maestro Muti. I have since bought many more. He is such a mature performer for such a young man. He brings refinement and beauty where sometimes there is none. I am not really saying that about this symphony. This symphony does have its simple moments though and the Maestro brings the simplicity out so that it shines and shimmers. There are times when it is so quiet you really have to listen to what is being played. He is drawing you into a mysterious place that you've never heard before.The surprise for me is the 'Chasseur Maudit'. Powerfully played and beautifully shaped. The horns are magnificent. The hunt theme calling the hunter to Hell which he follows without fear. Like Don Giovanni proudly taking responsibility for what his life has been as he follows the spirit of his victim into Hell.Great, underated recording. The Philadelphia Orchestra playing at its usual wonderful standards. Another that is basic to a collection of classical music."

Some of the Best Franck Performances Around--and at a Budget

M. C. Passarella | Lawrenceville, GA | 03/28/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The record of Riccardo Muti's work with Philadelphia Orchestra is variable, at least as it appears on currently available CDs, but this is certainly a disc that reminds one how well Muti and the Philadelphians performed when at the top of their game. If you want a performance of the D Minor Symphony that speaks to Franck's mysticism or the cloistered quality of his existence as organist and teacher--forget it. Muti sees the Franck Symphony as the echt-Romantic drama that Franck conceived it as, a movement from dark to light in the manner of Beethoven's Fifth or Tchaikovsky's Fifth. Along the way, Muti helps clarify the form so that the seams don't show, or as little as possible, a complaint that critics often have about this symphony. Here, the musical logic is clear and cogent. In Franck, listeners sometimes profess a preference for a Gallic approach. I find Muti's muscular "international" approach brings its own rewards, but you'll probably want another performance of the D Minor Symphony in your collection as well--perhaps Monteux's famous one on RCA or Dutoit's on Decca, to which I'm partial also. Dutoit manages to sound very French (not hard, I guess) without leaching the passion out of Franck's creation. I probably like his performance because it is similar to Muti's. (I see, however, that Dutoit's recording is currently unavailable. What about it, Decca?)



On the other hand, Franck's underrated tone poem "Le Chasseur maudit" has never been accorded a performance and recording as robust and exciting as Muti's. The magnificent climax as the church bells chime when the hunter sets out on the chase is wonderfully grandiose here, and the wild chase itself is breathtaking in its virtuosity. The final scene in which the huntsman is chased by the demons from hell has never been more frightening, not even in Munch's celebrated Boston version, which I find somewhat raw by comparison. On this day at least, Muti had by far the finer orchestra and recording team at his disposal!"

Underrated Superb Performances Of These Franck Orchestral Pi

John Kwok | New York, NY USA | 05/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This relatively old digital recording of these Franck orchestral pieces should be regarded not only as among the best, but also one of the recording highlights during Riccardo Muti's tenure as music director of The Philadelphia Orchestra. Muti gives a lush, Romantic interpretation of the Symphony in D minor, emphasizing it as a musical piece which conveys a struggle between the forces of Light and Dark, in which Light ultimately triumphs. The Philadelphian strings and wind sections are absolutely radiant, offering warm, vibrant playing. I haven't heard the "Chasseur maudit" before, but it too is yet another excellent performance, replete with exciting horn solos. In both works, the orchestra sounds almost Central European in its playing, as if Muti was conducting either the Berliner Philharmoniker during Karajan's tenure or the Wiener Philharmoniker. If you're a fan of composer Cesar Franck, conductor Riccardo Muti or The Philadelphia Orchestra, then you most certainly must add this fine recording to your collection; for others this is absolutely a bargain Franck recording that is worthy of your consideration."