<< -- 2 -- Robert Anderson UNEASY AGITATION
Les djinns is almost fifty years younger than the concerto. It
is based on a 'lozenge' poem of Victor Hugo, so called because the lines
gradually lengthen before shortening equally steadily. The djinns are winged
demons that dwell among sepulchres and arise shrieking to perform their
baleful tasks. Originally sinister opponents of Islam, Hugo puts them in
a vaguely Christian context as generalised agents of evil. If there is any
stained glass influence on this work, it is that the orchestra represents
the devils for the most part, whereas the piano is on the side of the angels.
Despite much whirling of sinister influences, sound faith prevails. Here
the pianist is François-Joël Thiollier, faced with a subtler
task than his concerto companion. He acquits himself well, obeying a characteristic
Franck instruction to the player: 'In the mood of a prayer, but with a certain
uneasy agitation'. He has a committed Arnhem Philharmonic Orchestra under
Roberto Benzi to contend against, and the drama is effectively captured
[listen -- track 2, 1:25-2:30]. Franck's full-stop
to the Hugo poem is one of his happiest touches.
The Symphonic Variations were written for Louis Diemer, who had
given the first performance of Les djinns. They proved the happiest
of rewards. The work is put together with utmost cunning, and it is only
the central part that proves to be a set of six variations on a theme hinted
at long before in the initial exchange between keyboard and orchestra. Thiollier
is capable of the loveliest sonorities from the outset, and for the most
part the orchestral response is equally well judged. I would disapprove
only of the needlessly dry string pizzicatos at the first suggestion of
the variations' sicilienne-like theme. To savour the ensemble at its most
magical it is necessary to sample only the sixth variation with cellos in
the major [listen -- track 1, 7:28-8:25]. The finale
is a joyous fantasia on much of the music deployed earlier with such skill
and evident delight [listen -- track 1, 11:22-12:27].
Copyright © 11 September 2002
Robert Anderson, London, UK
César Franck: Symphonic Variations
8.553472 DDD Stereo NEW RELEASE 58'58" 2002 HNH International Ltd
François-Joël Thiollier, piano; Martijn van den Hoek, piano; Arnhem Philharmonic Orchestra / Roberto Benzi
Symphonic Variations; Les Djinns; Piano Concerto No 2 in B minor Op 11 |
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