César Franck: Symphonic Variations

£9.93

1. Symphonic Vars - Pascal Roge
2. Son in A: I. Allegretto Ben Moderato - Ross Pople/Pascal Roge
3. Son in A: II. Allegro - Ross Pople/Pascal Roge
4. Son in A: III. Recitativo-Fant (Ben Moderato) - Ross Pople/Pascal Roge
5. Son in A: IV. Allegretto Poco Mosso - Ross Pople/Pascal Roge
6. Pno Qnt in f: I. Molto Moderato Quasi Lento - Pascal Roge/Richard Friedman/Steven Smith/Christopher Wellington/Ross Pople
7. Pno Qnt in f: II. Lento, Con Molto Sentimento - Pascal Roge/Richard Friedman/Steven Smith/Christopher Wellington/Ross Pople
8. Pno Qnt in f: III. Allegro Non Troppo, Ma Con Fuoco - Pascal Roge/Richard Friedman/Steven Smith/Christopher Wellington/Ross Pople

Good collection with established artists - I bought this CD mainly for the F minor piano quintet, which is not widely recorded. Pascal Roge and members of the London Festival Orchestra give a compelling account of this work, without exaggerating the more dramatic moments. Included on the CD are the A major cello sonata and the Symphonic Variations. The cello sonata is a transcription of the well-known violin sonata, the wonderful harmonic progressions for which Franck s compositions are renowned are brought out particularly well in the lower register of the cello. Ross Pople is in good form here, and also conducts the London Festival Orchestra for the Symphonic Variations, which again features the excellent pianistic talents of Pascal Roge. A very satisfying collection.