[log in to unmask] writes:

>In a posting on Louis Vierne's symphony, Richard Penntcuick makes a quick
>aside, referring to Cesar Franck's Symphony in D minor as "a work I know
>well enough but have never liked much".  Be afraid, Richard -- you have
>set me to musing!
>
>...  Richard's comment unearths a vague memory of a huge argument many
>years past of the relative worth or otherwise of this piece.  I happen
>to like it, largely because it holds precious memories for me.  But I do
>recall great controversy over whether or not it is worth a row of beans
>and why, exactly, it has risen to prominence over other, perhaps worthier,
>works (some of which are referred to in Richard's post -- Chausson, Dukas
>and Magnard (I admire your taste, Richard!) among them.

I didn't used to think much of the Franck Symphony.  Then I heard the
Guido Cantelli recording and finally saw the point of the thing.  Now
I love the piece.  My advice is to hear that performance before making
a final judgment.

And I also agree that we should be programming those other, more
neglected pieces too.  That is, if you're willing to stand up to your
marketing department for whom even the Franck is already too obscure
because the name isn't recognized by every cab driver (nothing against
cab drivers....some of them are more knowledgeable about obscure
symphonies than I am)...

Michael Morgan