Deutsche Grammophon release Symphony in D Minor / Pelléas et Mélisande Suite which showcases classical works by César Franck and Gabriel Fauré. Franck’s Symphony in D Minor premiered in 1889 and fuses elements of the German and French traditions. In 1898, Fauré was commissioned to write incidental music for the English translation of Belgian playwright Maurice Maeterlinck’s play Pelléas et Mélisande. He then created a three-movement orchestral suite from his score, later adding the 'Sicilienne', which had originally been a solo cello interlude, to form the four-movement version we know today...

César Franck's Symphony in D Minor owes a lot to the works of Beethoven, Liszt and Wagner. In fact, you can hear a nod and a wink here and there to familiar works by several great composers. The work is presented across three movements.

Gabriel Fauré's Pelléas et Mélisande Suite captures the symbolist ambiguity of Maurice Maeterlinck’s play Pelléas et Mélisande, from the mysterious ambience of the 'Prélude' to the melancholy solemnity of the 'Molto Adagio' finale, which portrays the death of Mélisande, via the pastoral feel of the second movement and the fragile beauty of the much-loved 'Sicilienne'.

The Berliner Philharmoniker, under the conductorship of Daniel Barenboim bring a nuanced performance of these two works, which are both uplifting, yet melancholic pieces of pure art. Do yourself a favour and add this wonderful collection to your music library.

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Darren Rea