Reviews
GMCD
7324 Cesar Franck (1822-1890) Colin Walsh at the Organ of Lincoln Cathedral.
American Record Guide July / August 2009
FRANCK: 3 Chorales;
Cantabile;
Piece Heroique; Pastorale; Final
Colin Walsh, org
GuiId 7324-80 minutes
Walsh, Organist
Laureate of Lincoln Cathedral, performs this program in Lincoln an the 4-70
Willis/Harrison (1898, 1998). He has "paid his dues", having held posts at St
George's Chapel, Christ Church, Oxford, Salisbury, and St Alban's. He has
recorded often, and always to favorable critical comment. That Said, his
recordings of French Organ literature are generally marked by slow tempos and a
lack of incisive articulation. The notes are there, but without character or
personality. His Franck interpretations may be described the Same way-the
Chorales (in order 15:03; 13:45; 13:33) are close to the slowest tempos (Beekman),
and his Final lacks the bite and anxious spirit given it by Demessieux. Walsh
might be compared quite reasonably to Murray (Telarc 80234). This does not mean
these are poor interpretations. Only that with so manv other competitive
recordings-especially by Demessieux and Pincemaille-listeners would be advised
to shop around. I think the acoustics at Lincoln Cathedral are responsible for
the tempos. That and the lack of enough mixtures leads to somewhat bland
recordings.
METZ
BBC Music Magazine January 2009
Trois Chorales; Trois
Pieces-excerpts; Six Pieces-excerpts Colin Walsh (organ) Guild GMCD 7324 79:50
mins BBC Music Direct
Lincoln's Willis organ might sound nothing like St
Clotilde's CavailleColl, but Walsh is an instinctive Franck-ophile, adept at
intimacy as well as pompous-free grandeur.
PERFORMANCE ****
RECORDING ****
Church Music Quarterly 1 09
333 FRANCK: ORGAN WORKS
Colin Walsh plays the
organ of Lincoln Cathedral
GUILD GMCD 7324
Colin Walsh is justly
renowned for his interpretations of the French Romantic repertoire and for his
Franck playing in particular. This CD consists of performances of the three
Chorales (1890); the Cantabile and Pièce Héroïque from
Trois Pièces (1878); and the Pastorale and Final from Six
Pièces (1859Ð62).Walsh’s cantabile playing is second to none: a
combination of perfect legato and a profound sense of the musical direction of
each phrase. Registration is tastefully selected and masterfully executed. The
interpretations are highly dramatic and he is not afraid to use the swell pedal
with vigour, yet Colin Walsh is, at all times, fully in control of the
architecture of even the largest works.
An impressive and enjoyable disc.
MusicWeb
International Friday January 02 2009
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2008/Dec08/Franck_GMCD7324.htm
César FRANCK
(1822-1890)
Trois Chorales (1890): Chorale No. 1 in E major: Moderato [15:03]; Chorale No. 2
in B minor: Maestoso [13: 45]; Chorale No. 3 in A minor: Quasi allegro [13:33]
Trois Pièces (1878): Cantabile: Non troppo lento [6:00]; Pièce Héroïque: Allegro
maestoso [8:52]
Pastorale: Andantino, Op. 19 [9:07]
Final in B flat major: Allegro maestoso, Op. 21 [13:04]
Colin Walsh (organ)
rec. March 2008, Lincoln Cathedral, England. DDD
GUILD GMCD7324 [79:50]
For the Guild label this
is an attractive single disc of organ music from composer and organist César
Franck. Colin Walsh recorded this music in the spring of 2008 on the renowned
‘Father’ Henry Willis organ (from 1898) at Lincoln Cathedral.
Born at Liège in Belgium, Franck went on to study at the Paris Conservatoire. He
was to live out the majority of his life in Paris, becoming established at the
Conservatoire as organ professor. Franck’s organ music is held in high regard by
musicologist David Ewen: “The organ had become a neglected stepchild of
French music in the nineteenth century. It was restored to its one time status
by Franck. A remarkable organist himself, whose improvisations were legendary.”
(The Complete Book of Classical Music, David Ewen, Robert Hale, London
(1978). Pg. 641)
The first set of works on the disc is the Trois Chorales from 1890 in the
final months of his life. Franck wrote his Trois Chorales shortly after
he was hit by a vehicle in Paris, an accident from which he subsequently died.
The listener is made very much aware of deep concentration from Colin Walsh in
Franck’s glorious writing in the Chorale No. 1- a work poignant with a
comforting underlying strength. Again I felt an intense attentiveness from Walsh
in the Chorale No. 2. One immediately notices the sad and brooding theme
in the bass that Franck subjects to a number of variations. Symphonic in feel
the Chorale No. 3 makes an immediate impact, especially the Toccata-like
opening with Walsh catching its lithe and vigorous character. The gentle central
section provides a sense of comfort and security and the Finale is a
triumphant restatement of the main theme.
Franck composed his Trois Pièces in 1878 for the Cavaillé-Coll organ at
the Palais du Trocadéro, in Paris and two of the three pieces: the Cantabile
and Pièce Héroïque are offered here. The attractive Cantabile:
Non troppo lento is kept mainly within a narrow range. I found this an
inspiring interpretation with a range of passion that sent a shiver down my
spine. In this exciting performance the popular and dramatic Pièce Héroïque
reveals Franck’s ability to move easily from chamber music delicacy to symphonic
weight.
The disc includes two of Franck’s set of Six Pièces. These are the
earliest pieces on the disc. In 1858 Franck was appointed organist for the
magnificent newly constructed instrument at Sainte-Clotilde. Here Franck was in
charge of one of the greatest achievements of organ builder Aristide
Cavaillé-Coll. He soon made a reputation for himself and admirers came from afar
to hear his playing. Around 1860-63 Franck started to publish some organ works
that included the Six Pièces. The great Franz Liszt proclaimed the set of
Six Pièces as worthy of a, “place alongside the masterpieces of Johann
Sebastian Bach.”
With the Pastoral: Andantino, Op. 19 Franck lays out a brilliant
palette of colours whilst maintaining the unhurried nature of the work. It is
played with a meditative, sacred feel by Walsh. The final track is the Final
in B flat major, Op. 21, marked Allegro maestoso. I loved Walsh’s
dramatic and uplifting performance which communicates a feeling of unrestrained
joyfulness.
This is a very fine recital on the Father Willis organ of the Lincoln Cathedral
– itself clearly an extraordinary instrument. Colin Walsh impresses from start
to finish with playing that abounds in insight and sensitivity. Especially
impressive is Walsh’s astute selection of tempi - breathing life into the
soul of the music. This contrasts markedly with the generally measured pace
favoured by Roberto Antonello on a recent set of these Franck scores from the
Salgareda church, Treviso for the Fagott label. The Lincoln Cathedral acoustic
is pleasing and is here warm and admirably balanced. The well written booklet
notes cover most of the essential information.
Michael Cookson
Page revised Friday December 18 2009
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