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CÉSAR FRANCK. Piano Trio in F sharp minor Op 1 no 1; Violin Sonata  The Bekova Sisters Chandos CHAN 9680 [DDD] [64' 40"]

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César Franck's opus 1 is emulating the great Beethoven since his opus 1 is also a set of three piano trios. He also copied Beethoven's cyclic form but Franck is no Beethoven since his music is too derivative and repetitive although it can be very attractive. Neither does he exploit the instruments and, as a consequence, his music is restricted in range. It also has the distinct feel of salon music which music in its place is fine but Piano Trio, like Sonata, String Quartet or Symphony, indicates something more serious and mature.

His music lacks an original voice. At best in the F sharp minor Trio we have the influence of Mendelssohn but it is not the same quality. Listen to Mendelssohn's Piano Trio in D minor and note the sparkle, impeccable craftsmanship and onward motion. Franck's other influence is Schubert and he follows his expansive, repetitious and unadventurous style. That, in itself, may not always be a bad thing but, to make another comparison, consider the Piano Trio of Faure. That is not very adventurous either but its gentleness is enhanced by its grace and charm and is half the length of the Franck. The central allegro molto succeeds because of an excellent choice of tempo and the whole piece is played most expertly. This movement loses momentum in having two trio sections.

This is really his second piano trio and written when he was probably only seventeen. But that fact pales into insignificance when one realises what Mozart and Mendelssohn wrote before they entered their teenage years.

The real joy of this trio is the marvellous performance; the sound is sometimes ravishing and the balance exemplary. The beautiful playing is so good that I forgot how ordinary a work this is and many will love it!

The Violin Sonata dates from forty five years later and is very popular with those who like 'tunes' that reappear, reappear, reappear and reappear. Again, this is far from great music but the performance simply glows, as, indeed, it does in the Piano Trio. I prefer the version for cello and piano as recorded by David Finckel and Wu Han (Artist-led 19602-2) which I reviewed for this web site. Nonetheless this mainly leisurely music, which is so repetitive, becoming both bland and tedious. And isn't that famous tune of the finale done to death?

Reviewer

David Wright

 Performances

Recording

Reviewer

David Wright

 Performances

Recording


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