I am slightly obsessed with this work, since Franck was a "local boy made good" in my family home, and it was played in the first concert I attended (Liège, Franz André, 1956). I have so many recordings it is hard (and pointless) to choose a favourite, but I think highly of Beecham, Boult, Monteux, Paray and especially van Otterloo whose recordings with the Residentie and Vienna SO are also on my shelves. (Oh, I have just chosen a favourite - van Otterloo/Concertgebouw,) .
A note about Beecham, who is highly thought of in the U.K. (except in certain quarters - proof I do read these boards carefully). He recorded it twice with the French National RO; in 1957, mono, and again in 1959 in stereo, for obvious commercial reasons. I presume the mono recording never appeared on CD, but it is much better than the later recording, which sounds under-rehearsed, lethargic and neither conductor nor orchestra are on best form. Another reason for keeping the vinyl collection.
A note about Beecham, who is highly thought of in the U.K. (except in certain quarters - proof I do read these boards carefully). He recorded it twice with the French National RO; in 1957, mono, and again in 1959 in stereo, for obvious commercial reasons. I presume the mono recording never appeared on CD, but it is much better than the later recording, which sounds under-rehearsed, lethargic and neither conductor nor orchestra are on best form. Another reason for keeping the vinyl collection.
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