Franck’s D Minor Symphony was premiered on 17 February 1889. Once a huge cornerstone of recordings for big-name conductors, we don’t see it so much in new releases these days. What are your favourite recordings of this wonderful work? Anything that isn’t Monteux??? - ThreadSky

This used to be a youth orchestra staple… I’ve played it several times and love it. Interesting fact: you can overlay the finale’s brassy second subject with the Muppet Show theme.

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joannawyld.bsky.social•5 days ago

Has anyone created a mash-up? I need to hear this.

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grahamrickson.bsky.social•5 days ago

I remember someone in my youth orchestra adding the muppets as a descant when we were rehearsing the last movement. You’ll just have to put a CD on and sing over the top

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joannawyld.bsky.social•5 days ago

Will do

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jembenson.bsky.social•5 days ago

And record it for the rest of us?

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joannawyld.bsky.social•5 days ago

Haha, not sure I'd inflict that on anyone!

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deeplyclassical.bsky.social•5 days ago

Mah Nà Mah No.

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levparikian.bsky.social•5 days ago

This might – only *might*, though – be my gateway to overcoming my lifelong aversion to this piece.

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grahamrickson.bsky.social•5 days ago

Getting to know pieces as a teenage amateur was a real blessing. I really want to have a go at Franck’s Chasseur Maudit as the horn parts are fabulous.

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jembenson.bsky.social•5 days ago

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levparikian.bsky.social•5 days ago

(The Franck not the muppets, for avoidance of doubt)

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joannawyld.bsky.social•5 days ago

Yes, I played flute in it last year and wasn't a fan. The orchestration 😬 so much doubling!

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grahamrickson.bsky.social•5 days ago

Noooooo!

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whenisbirths.bsky.social•5 days ago

This is making me think that someone needs to do a podcast or series in which classical experts talk about classical pieces they cannot abide.

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amdtransl.bsky.social•5 days ago

Glad to see this. Just the sight of the CD cover gives me a persistent and unwelcome earworm.

I once sat down with a group and the sheet music of his string quartet. We opened the parts and someone had written inside "ON NO ACCOUNT PLAY THIS PIECE"

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d3rrick.bsky.social•5 days ago

Franck's Symphony is being shamefully neglected by orchestras these days. Fortunately we have these historic recordings of the work. The Monteux/Chicago recording is great although I prefer Charles Munch/BSO.

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wmeumfleet.bsky.social•6 days ago

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mackenzievogt.net•6 days ago

I first heard Lenny's version growing up, and I still like it best

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grahamrickson.bsky.social•5 days ago

Love this one - he does the slow introduction so well

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bathorykitsz.bsky.social•6 days ago

Nope. Just this one. Got it on LP when I was a teenager.

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1714tak.bsky.social•5 days ago

It is actually fascinating the way this piece use to be so in vogue - everyone performing or recording it - especially in the 80s. But now? Odd. Incredible work. I think there’s a Dutoit/MSO recording? I’ll have to check.

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davidnice.bsky.social•5 days ago

Good tunes, reams of padding. Not much interest in the scoring. Don't mind if I don't hear it again.

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loveinner.bsky.social•5 days ago

There is indeed. I ordered it yesterday!

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matthijserwich.bsky.social•6 days ago

Orchestre de Paris with Bychkov is great

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mostlyrambling.bsky.social•7 days ago

One old, one new.

It's not a work I listen to often but I do enjoy both these recordings.

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jowettnick.bsky.social•5 days ago

Yes, they used to play it a lot, but I think it deserves its present obscurity- it’s a vaguely depressing piece, I find.

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espenk65.bsky.social•6 days ago

I've just put on the Klemperer version. Not a work that I am very familiar with, but the tension in the opening movement is really moving!

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moomink627.bsky.social•7 days ago

Charles Munch and Paul Paray are my favorites.

Here are a few others just a notch below their impressive performances:

Munch/Boston: https://music.apple.com/us/album/franck-symphony-in-d-minor-fwv-48/1166104138

Paray/Detroit: https://music.apple.com/us/album/franck-symphony-in-d-minor-paul-paray-the-mercury/1629543440

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jud1960.bsky.social•6 days ago

A shame it is underrated. It is a beautiful work🎶🎶

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davidnice.bsky.social•5 days ago

Sorry, bearing in mind all the recordings it's had, it seems to me overrated. Good melodies in the outer movements, the central one, not so much.

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jud1960.bsky.social•4 days ago

What I mean is that it is never heard on radio or performed in concerts!

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davidnice.bsky.social•4 days ago

Since I listen to the BBC World Service and not R3, I can't say on the broadcast front. It does still occasionally get performed in concert.

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aquilanebula.bsky.social•6 days ago

As so often, I've found the famous classic version is good but not the best! Mitropoulos is incredible and the second Paray recording is also very impressive.

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deeplyclassical.bsky.social•6 days ago

I love the Monteux, but +1 for Mitropoulos from me. In fact, I'm going to listen to it again right now in all its 1940s glory.

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loveinner.bsky.social•6 days ago

Ah I will dig out my copy of the Mitropoulos!

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deeplyclassical.bsky.social•6 days ago

Among recent recordings, of which there have actually been quite a lot, I really liked both of these, esp. the Tingaud.

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aquilanebula.bsky.social•6 days ago

I reviewed the Antinoglu for Gramophone and it's very good.

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loveinner.bsky.social•5 days ago

Altinoglu is a fine conductor. Saw him live with the LSO just before a rogue piece of DNA started replicating itself across the planet. He was impressive.

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