Franck, César - Le Chasseur maudit - Psyché - Les éolides

Album

Franck, César
Le Chasseur Maudit
Psyché
Les éolides

Release on May 2020
Royal Scottish National Orchestra (Orchestra)
Tingaud, Jean-Luc (Conductor)

César Franck was a childhood prodigy who gained later renown as an organist and teacher. His compositions received scant attention until the success of Le Chasseur maudit, a symphonic morality tale that vividly portrays the ‘accursed huntsman’ from his defiance of the Sabbath to a dramatic chase and a horrific fate. Les Éolides is infused with Wagnerian colours and depicts the mythological Aeolids as they reawaken nature with their song. Franck’s lushly orchestrated final symphonic poem Psyché expresses the power of love in dreams and a passionate union.

Recordings

press

Reviews

Excellent readings by Tingaud, superb playing and singing by the Scottish National Orchestra and RCS Voices, and a fine recording by Naxos add up to a strong recommendation.

Jerry Dubins

Fanfare, September 2020

Tingaud’s singers are a little more present and vital, as are his performances. You won’t find a better version of Les Éolides than this one, either. Lightness of touch is Tingaud’s strong suit, and this confectionary tone poem of nearly Mendelssohnian delicacy results in a happy evocation of “the breezes.” … I’m content to say this is a most welcome release and the version of these pieces to have.

Steven Kruger

Fanfare, September 2020

Tingaud’s performance is highly successful at communicating the poetry and rapture inherent in the music. He also gives us a very good account of the literary-inspired tone poem Le chasseur maudit (‘The Accursed Huntsman’) of 1882, whose darkness and energy provide a strong contrast with the later work.

Christian Hoskins

Gramophone, September 2020

‘Absolute loveliness performed with an unbridled radiance of spirit supplemented by some gorgeous playing.’ This exciting release of Franck’s three most impressive tone poems offers arguably one of the most attractive modern options for collectors. Les Éolides (The Breezes) dates from 1875 and narrates, over a ten-minute span, the activities of the daughters of Aeolus, the Greek God of the Winds, as they awaken nature with their songs. The piece is the most Wagnerian of the three and Franck conjures up some truly delightful sounds, full of serene and at times enticing orchestration.

Gerald Fenech Classical Music Daily, July 2020

The orchestra excels with the sparkling strings of this work and with the pastoral sounds of the opening Le Chasseur maudit, FWV 44, an especially Wagnerian depiction of a hunter plagued by demons. The concluding Les Éolides, FWV 43, is a lighter work, likewise referring to a mythological subject that 19th century French audiences would have known better than those today. Naxos offers unusually clear and lively sound from the RSNO Centre in Glasgow, and that’s an added attraction to an album that will fill a hole on many shelves and hard drives.

James Manheim AllMusic.com, July 2020

Tingaud and the Royal Scottish Orchestra deliver a thrilling performance, full of gothic portent (think Schubert’s “Die Erlkönig” orchestrated by Wagner). Drama conveyed through lush and imaginative orchestration, is at the heart of each of these works. And Tingaud’s vision brings those dramas to life. The Royal Scottish Orchestra has a full-bodied sound. The orchestra plays with energy and precision, making this release a rewarding listening experience. Well done.

Ralph Graves WTJU, June 2020

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