Franck: Symphony in D Minor – Fauré: Pelléas et Mélisande

Franck’s Symphony in D Minor shows his admiration for both Beethoven and Wagner. Cast in three movements (rather than the traditional four), it pursues thematic development and sonata form, both characteristic of Beethoven, but its Wagnerian harmonies carry it along so smoothly that its internal structure becomes almost imperceptible. Yet Franck is very much his own master, and there’s an unmistakable Gallic flavour that pervades the whole—in many performances it’s this Frenchness that usually prevents it from taking itself too seriously. Daniel Barenboim and the Berlin Philharmonic, however, eschew those Gallic hints for a live performance that emphasises the work’s Germanic roots. Barenboim keeps a tight rein on tempos, with the effect that in the opening movement, every moment is savoured, every harmony mined for its emotional content. The second movement is more Andante than the “Allegretto” (moderately quick) the composer requests, but Barenboim and the Berliners use the extra time to extract maximum colour. In other recordings, the final movement’s climax can veer dangerously towards cartoonishness, but here it stands proud, with a cinematic, grand sweep that rightly embraces it as one of late Romanticism’s finest achievements. Fauré’s Pelléas et Mélisande is as far from the German symphonic tradition as it’s possible to get—a charming, almost chamber-like set of incidental movements for Maurice Maeterlinck’s 1893 play. But within its short timespan is some of Fauré’s loveliest harmonic progressions and melodies—the third movement “Sicilienne” is unstintingly beautiful. Once again in a live performance, Barenboim sails a steady ship, and gilds Fauré’s score with exquisite playing of detail and depth. Inside the Album Booklet The booklet essay outlines Barenboim’s relationship with the Berlin Philharmonic alongside his love of French repertoire, rooted in the 13 years he spent in Paris in the 1970s and ’80s as music director of the Orchestre de Paris. There are photographs from the live concert at Berlin’s Philharmonie, too. Album booklets are available in the latest version of Apple Music Classical, which you can download and enjoy as part of your Apple Music subscription. To access booklets, tap on the book icon at the top of your screen.