Franck: Symphony in D minor. Chausson: Symphony in B flat major.
Jean-Luc Tingaud

‘Chausson’s Symphony in B flat major is a multifaceted and imaginative piece. Its passion and complexity raise many questions regarding interpretation. Many of them find their answer in a careful study of the manuscript sources. Our recording attempts to present an informed and accurate performance of Chausson’s symphony, one of the masterpieces of the French symphonic repertoire.

In the case of Franck’s Symphony in D minor, there are no such problems: the printed score and parts are faultless, having been published by Hamelle, who on that occasion commissioned the German engraver Röder from Leipzig, renowned for their accuracy. This was an unusual collaboration for a French publisher, for which we are particularly grateful, since the manuscript of Franck’s Symphony was burned in the fire that destroyed the Duparc family château in 1935.’

Jean-Luc Tingaud


César Franck’s only symphony came at a time when the French music world was seeking to rival the great Austro-German tradition. The ‘darkness-to-light’ narrative of the Symphony in D minor owes a debt to Beethoven and there is a unique power within its distinctive themes, innovative cyclic form and general gravitas. Franck’s student Ernest Chausson was no doubt inspired by his teacher’s thematic metamorphoses, but the anguished influence of Wagner is also ever present. The published score of the Symphony in B flat major includes many errors which conductor Jean-Luc Tingaud has meticulously corrected after careful study of Chausson’s autograph manuscripts.

Listen to an extract from Franck’s Symphony in D minor:
II. Allegretto
About the Artists

Jean-Luc Tingaud studied with the French conductor Manuel Rosenthal, since when he has conducted numerous renowned orchestras, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, English Chamber Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini, the Warsaw and Kraków Philharmonics, Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire, Orchestre National de Lyon, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, and the orchestras of the Teatro Carlo Felice, Genoa and the Teatro Massimo, Palermo.

The Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin maintains a national and international presence in concert halls and on radio broadcasts, appearing regularly in Berlin at the Konzerthaus, the Philharmonie and the Haus des Rundfunks, as well as performing chamber music at numerous venues. In addition to its extensive activities for radio, the orchestra makes regular studio recordings, frequently of forgotten repertoire and rarities.

Other recordings featuring Jean-Luc Tingaud
8.574178
★★★★★
★★★★
Phèdre shows Massenet at his best, boasting memorable melodic lines, powerful harmonies and vivid orchestration. Jean-Luc Tingaud draws expressive playing from the orchestra throughout…’
BBC Music Magazine ★★★★
8.573522
INDY, V. d':
Symphony No. 2
Souvenirs • Istar • Fervaal

Royal Scottish National Orchestra • Tingaud
★★★★★
‘Performances are excellent and sympathetic. Tingaud’s conducting shows the numerous interconnections that make the symphony such a masterpiece, but not at the expense of making enjoyable music.’
American Record Guide
8.573955
FRANCK, C.:
Le Chasseur Maudit
Psyché • Les Éolides

RCS Voices
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Tingaud
★★★★
★★★★
‘Jean-Luc Tingaud is leading a valuable series of recordings of French music for Naxos. With the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, superbly captured, he benefits from an orchestra of very high calibre. We ask for more!’
Crescendo (France)
8.573739
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★
★★★★
Cinemusical
★★★★
‘Tingaud’s precise, clear-eyed direction is just what this music needs, and as in his other Naxos productions he has the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra playing with remarkable dedication and pizzazz.’
ClassicsToday.com
8.573296
★★★★★
‘The fine playing of the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra is supported well by admirable engineering. Those who are unfamiliar with Tingaud’s work will find an outstanding introduction to it in this disc: a major new conductor.’
MusicWeb International
8.573344
★★★★★
★★★★
Cinemusical
★★★★
★★★★
★★★★
‘The well-played performances under Jean-Luc Tingaud suit the music, being pointedly lively, flowing, and unfailingly intelligent, and the sonics are bright and clear.’
ClassicsToday.com
For Jean-Luc Tingaud’s full discography on Naxos, please visit his artist page on Naxos.com.


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