Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra, Manfred Müssauer - Robert Fuchs: Orchestral Works, Vol. 2 (1996) CD-Rip

If I've ever owned a recording of an orchestral work by Vincent D'Indy I don't recall it. Nor do I remember ever hearing anything of his in the concert hall. I've heard a recording of his 'Symphony on a French Mountain Air', of course, and vaguely recall hearing something from his opera 'Fervaal', but that's about it. I knew of him primarily as co-founder of the Paris Schola Cantorum and as a guardian (and teacher) of conservative compositional techniques, stemming from his study with Franck and his admiration of Wagner. I was not, therefore, prepared to be particularly impressed by anything of his. But this recording of three of his works -- the Second Symphony, 'Tableaux de voyage' suite, and 'Karadec' -- has shown me that he was indeed an interesting and engaging composer.

Dedicated to D'Indy's friend, Paul Dukas, the Second Symphony, in the usual four movements, is an example of the cyclic form of composition propounded by Franck. It is based largely on two themes that we hear early in the first movement. It begins mysteriously and with a slightly menacing tone but evolves into a second movement that is in song form and contains a lovely melody sung in turn by viola, cor anglais, horn and clarinet. The third movement is an intermezzo that is lighter than anything previously. It starts with a melancholy folklike melody that is eventually transformed into a tipsy dance. The finale, early on, has a fugal treatment of one of the two main themes followed by a transformation of the other theme into a boisterous 5/4 section. The work concludes with a majestic chorale based on the more diatonic of the two themes, a triumphant conclusion to an immensely satisfying work. As in the following works, the Iceland Symphony Orchestra plays marvelously led by its music director, the young British conductor Rumon Gamba. This orchestra has been making some impressive recordings lately and this is certainly one of them.