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Franck: Symphonic Variations / Piano Concerto No. 2

8/14/2002, 5 Tracks, 59:15

Featuring

  • Roberto Benzi
  • François-Joël Thiollier
  • Martyn van den Hoek
  • Arnhem Philharmonic Orchestra
  • César Franck

Did you know?

1/7

Composer Biography

Franck's father withdrew him from the Paris Conservatoire in 1842, interrupting his studies, to push him back into a performing career.

Source: Booklet

Critical Reception

Franck enjoyed limited contemporary success as a composer; a concert of his works in 1887 was an "under-rehearsed disaster" where even the Symphonic Variations barely held together.

Source: Booklet

Composition History

Franck's symphonic poem Les Djinns, based on a poem by Victor Hugo, rekindled his interest in the piano and led to the creation of the Symphonic Variations the following year.

Source: Booklet

Composer's Artistic Vision

From the 1870s, Franck's compositional output was profoundly influenced by hearing Wagner's opera Tristan und Isolde in 1874.

Source: Booklet

Performer Biography

François-Joël Thiollier, a Franco-American pianist, won eight Grands Prix in international piano competitions, including the Brussels Queen Elisabeth and Moscow Tchaikovsky Prizes.

Source: Booklet

Composer Biography

César Franck, born in Belgium, was encouraged by his father to pursue a career as a virtuoso performer from an early age.

Source: Booklet

Composer Biography

Franck earned a living as a teacher and organist, notably at Sainte-Clotilde, where he built his reputation as an organist on a fine Cavaillé-Coll instrument.

Source: Booklet

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©℗ 2002 Naxos