César Franck: Les Béatitudes (1990)

César Franck completed his largest work, the oratorio Les Béatitudes in 1869, but it wasn't publicly performed until 1891, after his death. The piece generated an unusually wide spectrum of responses, ranging from favorable comparisons with the choral masterpieces of Bach and Beethoven to dismissive contempt. It has never established itself in the choral repertoire, perhaps because of its length and the huge performing forces required, but perhaps also because its level of musical inspiration isn't high enough to make its ... Read More

César Franck completed his largest work, the oratorio Les Béatitudes in 1869, but it wasn't publicly performed until 1891, after his death. The piece generated an unusually wide spectrum of responses, ranging from favorable comparisons with the choral masterpieces of Bach and Beethoven to dismissive contempt. It has never established itself in the choral repertoire, perhaps because of its length and the huge performing forces required, but perhaps also because its level of musical inspiration isn't high enough to make its overheatedly fervent and mediocre text palatable to broad audiences. The music has a relentless Wagnerian intensity and earnest weightiness that are too rarely leavened by moments of textural and emotional transparency. Those moments, such as the closing to the Third Beatitude are all the more lovely for the contrast they provide. The libretto, by an amateur poet, stretches the 10 verses of Matthew's gospel out to operatic length, and complicates the meaning with the addition of... Read Less

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• CD, Good 1990, Haenssler UPC: 4010276000013 See Item Details ▾

  Wonder Book - Member ABAA/ILAB BEST Frederick, MD, USA

  $7.49 Add to Cart Add this copy of Les Beaatitudes to cart. $7.49, good condition, Sold by Wonder Book - Member ABAA/ILAB rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Frederick, MD, UNITED STATES, published 1990 by Haenssler.

  	Edition: 1990, Haenssler CD, Good	Details: UPC: 4010276000013 Label: Haenssler Released: 1990 Alibris ID: 17348226978	Shipping Options: Standard Shipping: $4.99 Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
  Seller's Description: Good. Good condition. audioCD. 2 disc set. Case Very Good. Disc slightly scratched. Quality guaranteed! In original artwork/packaging unless otherwise noted.
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1990, Haenssler UPC: 4010276000013 See All from $7.49