• Symphonische Variationen für Klavier & Orchester; Prelude, Choral et Fugue; Prelude, Aria et Finale; Esquisses Nr. 1 & 2; Grande Sonate op. 10; Eglogue op. 3; Grand Caprice Nr. 1; Ballade op. 9; 3 Petits riens op. 16; 16 Short selected pieces for harmonium; Les plaintes d'une poupee, Les Djinns für Klavier & Orchester

Patrick Dheur (Klavier), Orchestre de l'Opera Royal de Wallonie, Roger Rossel

The pieces which are comprised in the present collection give a virtually complete idea of Francks quality as a piano composer. We have selected from his early works only those which seemed to us to indicate most faithfully that somewhat neglected period in his life, laying aside those which were of slight interest, we have included all the piano compositions of his later years. From the early works we have chosen the Grande Sonate op 10 (unpublished) written at the age of thirteen years, the Eglogue (1842), the Grand Caprice (1843), the Ballade (1844) and Trois petits riens (1846) (unpublished) preceding them with Csar Francks three first efforts in composition. The mature style of the master is shown in his four most important piano works, the Prelude, Chorale and Fugue(1884), Les Djinns for piano and orchestra (1884), Variations symphoniques for piano and orchestra (1885), the Prelude, Aria and Finale (1886), and also in two short pieces, Plaintes dune poupe (1865) and Danse lente(1885),written for special occasions. Though the latter are simple in style and technique, they show none the less the unmistakable stamp of Franckian melody.