Franck: Offertoires & Pièces Posthumes – Elke Volker

   in Choir & Organ (Sep, 2017)
Elke Völker provides a thorough survey of the young César Franck’s organ music. While the Andantino of 1856 may be familiar to many, most of these offertories and other works have only recently been published. Inevitably the shadow of Lefébure-Wély hangs over much of the music of this period, but we hear the young Franck finding his own voice and exploring the possibilities afforded by Cavaillé-Coll’s new instruments. For this recording the 1857 instrument of Bonsecours is an excellent choice. These may not be Franck’s best works, but Völker is to be applauded for affording these pieces such depth and sincerity. …