FRANCK PRELUDE CHORALE et FUGUE A monumental work in cyclic form by the great Belgian composer
As I have stated elsewhere in these pages, the Franck Prelude Chorale et Fugue is one of the masterpieces for solo piano. It is a work in three movements in which thematic material is used in every movement, culminating in a magnificent fugue combining the three principal themes at once.
This is complex and profound music requiring multiple listenings in order to grasp its structure and scope. The Prelude Chorale et Fugue does have lovely moments, but as is the case with much of Franck's music, it is the way in which the music is woven and structured that results in its splendor.
I have found ten complete performances to share with you. Most are, in their own ways, fine representations of Franck's creation, though I would like to single out the versions by Egon Petri and Alfred Cortot as my favorites. They play the Franck Prelude Chorale et Fugue as though they were having an interactive dialogue with it, and it is telling them its secrets.
While I do not believe it is quite up to the standard of the others, I include the performance by Kuhlmann because it is interesting to see a pianist's hands have a go at this piece. In his performance, Daniel Lopez-Lauber seems to have missed the point of this music, the secrets are lost to him, but it has its moments.
There are also two extended fragments of the work as performed by Jorge Bolet. In the finale we see his hands as well, an interesting comparison. Also included is a fine performance by an amateur pianist, Julien Kurtz.
Take the time, perhaps over several sittings, to listen to them all. Then come back to this page and listen again. The music will make itself known to you over time, if you are not already familiar with it, and it will have been well worth the effort. The gradually acquired ability to follow the thematic material as it progresses, individually and in concert, through a really fine performance of the Franck Prelude Chorale et Fugue will bring you great joy.
ALFRED CORTOT Franco-Swiss Pianist (1877-1962)
Prélude
Prélude
Fugue
EGON PETRI Dutch-German Pianist (1881-1962) Recorded in 1957
Prélude
Chorale
Fugue
SVIATOSLAV RICHTER Soviet Pianist (1915-1997)
Prélude
Chorale
Fugue
ARTUR RUBINSTEIN Polish-American Pianist (1887-1982)
Prélude
Chorale
Fugue
BLANCHE SELVA French Pianist (1884-1942) Recorded in 1928
GERMAINE THYSSENS-VALENTIN Dutch Pianist (1902-1987) Recorded in 1954
SAMSON FRANCOIS French Pianist (1924-1970) Recorded in 1955
CATHERINE COLLARD French Pianist (1947-1993) Recorded in 1965
Prélude
Chorale
Fugue
GRIGORY SOKOLOV Russian Pianist (b 1950)
Prélude
Chorale
Fugue
LEONARD PENNARIO American Pianist (1924-2008)
Prélude Chorale
Fugue
MARK FARAGO Hungarian Pianist (b 1976) Recorded live in 2004
JULIEN KURTZ French amateur Pianist 3rd place in 4th Boston International Piano Competition for Exceptional Amateurs
Prélude and Chorale
Fugue
DANIEL LOPEZ-LAUBER Uruguayan Pianist (b ?) Recorded live in 2004
Prélude and Chorale
Fugue
MICHAEL KUHLMANN German Pianist Recorded live 1991
