Symphonic Expedition | César Franck: Symphony in D Minor | Classical Music Reaction 

The conductor in this recording, Pierre Monteux, attended the premiere of this work in 1889, at age 13. He also conducted the premiere of The Rite of Spring in 1913, among other great works.

I'm glad you appreciate this passionate, fiery, intense masterpiece recorded magnificently by the great Pierre Monteux.

At 41:12 Franck's greatest moment, a sudden pianissimo in the submediant key of F# minor, quickly building tension.

Saw it last year with Barenboim and the BerlPhil. Heard it the fist times to prepare for the concert, and it is just a wonderful piece of music.

great video!!!

I very much get that you love the sound of the harp (which it was, to lead off the second movement's slightly nostalgic theme), but at the premiere - which ThaSchwab mentioned below - even THAT much caused unrest among the public. Fun fact category today, but really the harp (and, oh woe, the English horn on top of it!) was/were considered too much of an affront to "traditional" orchestration of a classical symphony! :)) Concert-going public was very reactive those days, and because of those very touches we would love to have MORE of, the premiere was anything but a success. Good that old Franck by then did not care for the ovations and laurels so much - he was happy the performance, misunderstood as it was, was well played. This was the statement of a secure artist, one of his last great creations. No doubt, it left great impression on the more discerning listeners, among whom the talented Pierre Monteaux was to become the living link to our modern recording age. This is, as per critics, the reference version of the piece - great pick! P. S.: 38:00 As Franck allows the gentle second movt. theme to come back in full glory in the Finale, which ties everything in, you just feel the purpose and ingenuity with which those melodies have been developed throughout. I had somewhat forgotten this return full circle - some time since last listened to the Franck D Minor - and it was so satisfying. 8]]]

The Piano Quintet is awesome.

Ah yes, the progenitor of the My Little Pony theme, good times.

I don’t know why this has fallen so out of fashion! I played it in youth orchestra back in 2008, and I’ve not played it or seen it be programmed since. It’s wonderful music.

I don't know if this was a request, or if you found it yourself, but this is hands down the greatest recording of the piece. So good choice to whoever made it! Edit: Getting in here before anyone else ;) but did you recognise a famous tune in the last movement?

A great symphony with a very French sound, as opposed to the Russian and German sounds. Chausson is another underrated very French sounding composer.

Hey Gidi, u should react to saint seans piano concerto 2, you'll like it

Great reaction as always Gidi! I usually try to shove as many Bruckner recommendations in my comments, but today i want to recommend to you the Concierto de Aranjuez by Rodrigo, i think you'll like it!

This symphony had a huge clout in the 80's. Everybody and their dog performed and recorded it. Nowadays it is very rarely performed, it seems to have fallen out of favour. Our Orchestra did it last year, and there were so many musicians in the orchestra who had never played nor even heard the work before. It was insane, considering how many famous conductors used to do it. Franck does many amazing things with the form. He does not ignore it he just tries to figure out what new ways he could find to stay within the tradition. For example the First Movement starts with a long introduction that leads into the first lively theme. But instead of going into the 2nd Theme as expected he repeats the complete introduction a halftone higher and only after the first theme is sounded the 2nd time he goes on to theme 2. And the themes are all based on the introduction. The 2nd Movment combines slow movement and Scherzo into one. It should also be noted that it is kind of special within french music tradition. The french, just like the italians, specialized more into theatric music, Opera and especially Ballett. Purely instrumental orchestral music was a thing of the germans. Until Wagner came to Paris in the 1860's to perform his Tannhäuser. That inspired a new generation of french composers, among them Franck, who was not so young anymore at that time, that it was time for french orchestral music. Heavily influenced by Wagner's harmonic endeavours and orchestral colours. For example using an English Horn (which starts the Melody in the 2nd Movement) in a Symphony was unheard of before and a point of contention with the critics of the premiere. This Symphony is basically the pinnacle of that reaction. It is THE french symphony.

Still waiting for Saint-Saëns Symphony #3 performance I requested in January. It would be a nice follow-up to this.

stillreccomending Janacek sinfoetta.You'll enjoy.