Composer: Jeanne Louise Farrenc
Orchestra: Insula Orchestra
Conductor: Laurence Equilbey
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Erato
Catalogue: 5419752210
Release: 2023
Size: 2.03 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 32
01. I. Andante sostenuto. Allegro
02. II. Adagio cantabile
03. III. Minuetto. Moderato
04. IV. Allegro assai
Symphony No. 3 in G minor, Op. 36
05. I. Adagio. Allegro
06. II. Adagio cantabile
07. III. Scherzo. Vivace
08. IV. Finale. Allegro
Symphony No. 2 in D, Op. 35
09. I. Andante. Allegro
10. II. Andante
11. III. Scherzo. Vivace
12. IV. Andante. Allegro
13. Overture No. 1, Op. 23
14. Overture No. 2, Op. 24
Laurence Equilbey, conducting her period-instrument Insula Orchestra, champions more music by Louise Farrenc, a prominent and pioneering composer in 19th century Paris
Follows their July 2021 album of Symphonies No. 1 in C minor (first heard in 1845) and No. 3 in G minor (premiered in 1849)
This set completes the cycle with Symphony No. 2 in D Major Op. 35 and two overtures: Overture No. 1 in E minor, Op. 23 and Overture No. 2 in E-flat Major, Op. 24
The world’s first complete recording of Louise Farrenc’s symphonic music on period instruments
Farrenc’s compositions reflect different influences/heritages: touches of Mozart, an Italian-inspired virtuosity in the strings reminiscent of Vivaldi, a fluid and innovative harmonic language not unlike Schubert’s risk-taking
“The score is so well written that it deserves a prominent place in the history of the early Romantic symphony … Equilbey and the Insula orchestra gave it a fleet, fiery performance. Their crusading spirit lived up to the day’s billing.” – The Financial Times after a London performance of Symphony No. 3, marking International Women’s Day 2018
The symphony “was full of engaging inventions … It’s clearly a fine piece; all it needs now is to be heard, many times.” – The Daily Telegraph