Louise Farrenc (1804 - 1875)

[Nick Armstrong]

I'm consistently impressed by works I discover by this composer, and derive increasing amounts of pleasure from her works.

I was first alerted to her existence by the COTW about her, discussed here (there's also a brief thread about an earlier COTW which had passed me by).

The thread on the later COTW linked above put me on to the symphonies; and indirectly, the recent BAL on Dvorak's wind serenade led me (via a Qobuz search on the winning ensemble, the Linos) to this:



An absolute delight (inaccurate dates for LF on the sleeve notwithstanding)

It seemed from the COTW thread that others have also discovered her work with pleasure; I wonder if there are further discoveries which anyone would like to share.

[Barbirollians]

I'm consistently impressed by works I discover by this composer, and derive increasing amounts of pleasure from her works.

I was first alerted to her existence by the COTW about her, discussed here (there's also a brief thread about an earlier COTW which had passed me by).

The thread on the later COTW linked above put me on to the symphonies; and indirectly, the recent BAL on Dvorak's wind serenade led me (via a Qobuz search on the winning ensemble, the Linos) to this:



An absolute delight (inaccurate dates for LF on the sleeve notwithstanding)

It seemed from the COTW thread that others have also discovered her work with pleasure; I wonder if there are further discoveries which anyone would like to share.

The two piano quintets Op 30 and 31 are terrific.

[cloughie]

The two piano quintets Op 30 and 31 are terrific.

Her Etude Op50 no2 - Andantino is one of the ABRSM Grade 5 pieces - a lovely piece, even the way I play it.

[LMcD]

BBC MM45 - this CD features works by 4 women composers including Louise Farrenc's fine Clarinet Trio.

[Barbirollians]

BBC MM45 - this CD features works by 4 women composers including Louise Farrenc's fine Clarinet Trio.

I see there is a new HIPP version of her First Quintet out coupled with the Saint Saens rather than her own second from an Australian outfit called Ironwood. The extracts on Presto sounded very promising so have ordered that today.

I am a big fan of her symphonies too and Tom Service wrote an excellent piece about the Third in his Guardian symphonies series. She is just the sort of composer whose works should be resuscitated at the Proms - would be great if that symphony were to turn up one day.

[Barbirollians]

Here is Tom Service's article

https://www.theguardian.com/music/tomserviceblog/2014/jun/24/symphony-guide-louise-farrenc-third-symphony-tom-service

[jayne lee wilson]

I see there is a new HIPP version of her First Quintet out coupled with the Saint Saens rather than her own second from an Australian outfit called Ironwood. The extracts on Presto sounded very promising so have ordered that today.

I am a big fan of her symphonies too and Tom Service wrote an excellent piece about the Third in his Guardian symphonies series. She is just the sort of composer whose works should be resuscitated at the Proms - would be great if that symphony were to turn up one day.

Thankyou so much for this reminder.... it was an ABC 7/2020 release, featured on Qobuz... but slipped below my radar somehow....

https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/saint-saens-farrenc-romantic-dreams-ironwood/a4gk9v6cmj8ab

Huge fan of Ironwood, above all for their classic Brahms Op.25/Op.34.... one of the all-time great Brahms albums, of whatever instrumental pedigree...

https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/brahms-tones-of-romantic-extravagance-piano-quartet-no-1-piano-quintet-ironwood/0002894814684

So Romantic Dreams is the sequel to Tones of Romantic Extravagance... this is turning into a franchise....

[LMcD]

Martin Handley played a movement of the Nonet this morning - ca. 25 minutes in.

[Barbirollians]

I have now come across her terrific First Piano Trio which I think hold its head up high amongst other mid 19th century trios. Coupled with the Amy Beach charming and Rebecca Clarke -( much more than just charming) trios by the Neave Quartet on Chandos.

Anyone heard the new Equilibey versions of the symphonies 1 and3 on Erato ?

[Alison]

Anyone heard the new Equilibey versions of the symphonies 1 and3 on Erato ?

Very well received by Nigel Simeone on Record Review; excellent orchestral playing.

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

Anyone heard the new Equilibey versions of the symphonies 1 and 3 on Erato ?

Interesting. Some fabulous timpani playing, as I noted in my review of the Arte broadcast streamed at the time this disc was recorded back in March, but I'm not always convinced by Equilbey's conducting. She cuts both first movement repeats (unlike Christoph König on Naxos) and some tempi are sluggish. But this is music that benefits from period instrument litheness and "tang", which Insula provides in spades.

https://bachtrack.com/review-equilbey-insula-orchestra-louise-farrenc-seine-musicale-march-2021

[Barbirollians]

Thanks . I have the versions conducted by Goritzki which are very good to my ears. The cutting of repeats sounds a concern.

[bluestateprommer]

The NYT had an article by David Allen about Louise Farrenc from last Friday:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/08/arts/music/classical-music-farrenc.html

I'd read about the National Symphony Orchestra concert with Gianandrea Noseda that features LF's Symphony No. 3, but I'd no idea that a video was available. Must watch it before it goes away.....