CXVII. FRANCK, César: Symphony in D Minor

CXVII. FRANCK, César (1822-1890)

Symphony in D Minor (1888)
1. Lento; Allegro ma non troppo
2. Allegretto
3. Finale: Allegro non troppo
Frankfurt Radio Symphony
Marc Minkowski, cond.
(40:47)

This is special.

This is the first music I recall hearing when I was perhaps five or six.

My oldest sister, Lynn (z'l) was playing this in her bedroom down the hall from mine, and not being sleepy, I stayed up and listened to the music with unusual attention (considering my youth) ...

I certainly didn't realize it at the time, but this symphony  -- Franck's one and only -- employs a cyclic device where the main theme is repeated not only in the first movement, but throughout the entire symphony:

The second movement features an English Horn solo. This scandalized the French critics:

"Who ever heard of a cor anglais in a symphony? Just name a single symphony by Haydn or Beethoven introducing the cor anglais?"

And what a lovely melody! Haydn or Beethoven never wrote for harp, either:

The third movement introduces a new theme:

but eventually the original theme comes back gently and then with a concluding roar.