The eclipse of César Franck's Symphony

[Maury]

I don't disagree that the proof is in the performance rather than the means of the historical French orchestra, but it is reasonable to conclude that here at least one produces the other. The differentiated sound of the French historical orchestra provides more clarity and bite without much effort to score it. The blended orchestra sound of modern times based on the Germanic tradition rather impedes athleticism and clear articulation than fosters it unless special care is taken (e.g. Mahler). Franck might well have orchestrated the symphony differently if the Germano Austro orchestra was his standard.

[Alan Howe]

Well, Franck occupies a unique position: his music isn't typically French in style at all, in comparison with, say, Fauré, as can be heard in the complex chromaticism derived principally from Wagner which marks his style, especially in his late works. Essentially, what this means is that the Symphony can be played in a leaner, more athletic French style or a (somewhat) heavier Germanic manner, provided that the French approach isn't abandoned altogether - which is what Barenboim has done in his latest recording, in the finale in particular.

[hyperdanny]

David Hurwitz just published his take on baremboim's Franck, and he totally concurs with the consensus on this board.
Actually his video is quite the rant, and rather funny.

[Alan Howe]

He's right. Sounds like something's seriously wrong with Barenboim. A recording that should never have been made.

[semloh]

I was so saddened by DH's review because Barenboim has been such a great musician. His 'stepping back' from performing due to a "serious neurological condition" was announced in late 2022. This CD is from a concert given in June 2023, and I can only agree with DH that really was the time to stop. After a great recording career, I see no point in going out with whimper... DGG presumably colluded because they still see dollar signs around his name. 

[hyperdanny]

DGG presumably colluded because they still see dollar signs around his name. 

Looks like you came to basically DH's same conclusion: in a subsequent video, prompted by some recent releases that he despises (the Baremboim and, well, pretty much anything Thielemann) he argues that what once were called the major labels (DGG, Sony, Decca etc) should just stop releasing new recordings and concentrate on the back catalogue.
This because he says they don't really exist in the way we knew them: they're just a minute part of some conglomerate, they don't have a staff, they don't have editorial policies, they don't take care of their artists.
According to him (and debatable as he sometimes is, he knows the business) they just will release anything if somebody pays for it, be it the orchestra, some sponsor or whatever.
No vision or even quality control, just convenience and (I like the word) collusion.
This is his opinion, but it's a fact that nowadays anything interesting or well done comes from the independents.

[Alan Howe]

nowadays anything interesting or well done comes from the independents

...provided that they too haven't been swallowed up by the conglomerates.

[Alan Howe]

I was so saddened by DH's review, because Barenboim has been such a great musician

So was I. Let's hope that this Franck is just a blip...

[John Boyer]

Agreed on Barenboim's talent.  In 2004 I heard him conduct a Schumann 4 with the Staatskapelle Berlin at Carnegie that was bring-the-house-down amazing.  I've never heard it better before or since.  His Berlioz Te Deum is the only one I enjoy.  And it takes a real musician to make Furtwangler's 2nd sound like a logical, well-ordered composition. 

Sometimes great musicians miss the mark on what should be a sure fire success.  I've always felt Bernstein didn't quite get Shostakovich 5.

[Alan Howe]

No great conductor gets everything right. FWIW I'd rate Barenboim's Wagner very highly and I too like his Schumann 4. His Furtwängler 2 is unmatched, I think. All in all, a great musician.

[eschiss1]

Agreed. (I haven't heard his recording of Busoni's first finished opera- Die Brautwahl (1905-12) - but I imagine it's quite good too.)

[hyperdanny]

On Youtube there's a video excerpt of the performance (a little more than 2 minutes) and, no, Baremboim does not look ok at all. Sad.

[semloh]

I know this thread refers to Franck's Symphony, but as it's a festive time I hope Alan and Mark will indulge me this once and allow a short recollection of Barenboim. 

As a student in the 60s, I was frequently to be found in Holleyman & Treacher's labyrithine secondhand bookshop in Brighton, Sussex. One day, somewhere around 1969, as I quietly pottered about, I walked into the room devoted to music books. There on the floor, surrounded by piles of old music scores, sat beautiful Jacqueline Du Pre, with a curly headed young Daniel Barenboim leaning over her shoulder. I said nothing, and slipped away. It was a brief encounter, but it's a precious little memory.