Album

Ernest Chausson's Symphony in B flat major, Op. 20, has never been regarded as highly as Franck's Symphony in D minor or Saint-Saëns' Symphony No. 3, "Organ," yet listeners may find many stylistic similarities between them and wonder what has kept this work from achieving equal recognition or popularity. One may point to the comparable laxness of Chausson's developments, a lack of definition in his themes, or even the blandness of his orchestration, yet finally conclude that his failure is due to an inability to sustain drama and tension in a long, dialectical form. For such a lyrical composer, this is not surprising, and though the Symphony is an interesting artifact of its time, the form was not a natural fit for the composer. Chausson is much more in his element in the Poème for violin and orchestra, Op. 25, a free and highly expressive work that has become a staple of the violinist's repertoire. Laurent Korcia plays the solo part with great passion and penetrating clarity, and the Orchestre Symphonique et Lyrique de Nancy, conducted by Jérôme Kaltenbach, responds with a strongly felt accompaniment. Their performances of Poème and the filler Viviane, Op. 5, are much more engaged than their merely respectful reading of the Symphony. Naxos provides decent sound quality.

© Blair Sanderson, All Music Guide

CD 1
Ernest Chausson Composer Symphony in Bb, Op.20 Work 34:15 Orchestre Symphonique et Lyrique de Nancy Orchestra, Jerome Kaltenbach Conductor
1	1.Lent. Allegro vivo	12:40			$1.99
2	2.Très lent	9:26			$1.49
3	3.Animé. Très animé	12:09			$1.99
Ernest Chausson Composer Poème, for violin and orchestra, Op.25 Work Laurent Korcia Violin, Orchestre Symphonique et Lyrique de Nancy Orchestra, Jerome Kaltenbach Conductor
4	Poème, for violin and orchestra, Op.25	16:27			$2.99
Ernest Chausson Composer Viviane, symphonic poem, Op.5 Work Orchestre Symphonique et Lyrique de Nancy Orchestra, Jerome Kaltenbach Conductor
5	Viviane, symphonic poem, Op.5	11:30			$1.99