Nikolai Lugansky - Franck: Preludes Fugues & Chorals (CD)

Given the paucity of César Franck's piano music on disc, Nikolai Lugansky's focus on this composer is to be commended. On his third release for harmonia mundi, the Russian pianist reveals an organ master strongly attached to the musical forms inherited from J.S. Bach: the prelude, the fugue, and the chorale. Translated to the piano keyboard, Franck's music, with it's expansively conceived structures, requires a completely fresh approach that puts the greatest performers to the test: here, Lugansky took on an additional challenge by preparing his own transcription (a brilliant one, at that!) of Franck's celebrated Choral pour grand orgue No.2.

Track List:

Disc: 1

1. Franck: Prélude, Choral Et Fugue, FWV 21 - I. Prélude. Moderato
2. Franck: Prélude, Choral Et Fugue, FWV 21 - II. Choral. Poco Più Lento - Poco Allegro
3. Franck: Prélude, Choral Et Fugue, FWV 21 - III. Fugue. Tempo I
4. Franck: Prélude, Aria Et Final, FWV 23 - I. Prélude. Allegro Moderato E Maestoso
5. Franck: Prélude, Aria Et Final, FWV 23 - II. Aria. Lento
6. Franck: Prélude, Aria Et Final, FWV 23 - III. Final. Allegro Molto Ed Agitato
7. Franck: Prélude, Fugue Et Variation, Op.18 - I. Andantino. II. Lento (Arr. for Piano)
8. Franck: Prélude, Fugue Et Variation, Op.18 - III. Allegretto Ma Non Troppo (Arr. for Piano)
9. Franck: Prélude, Fugue Et Variation, Op.18 - IV. Andantino (Arr. for Piano)
10. Franck: Trois Chorals Pour Grand Orgue, FWV 38-40 - Choral No. 2 en Si Mineur, FWV 39. Maestoso. Largamente Con Fantasia. Tempo I Ma Un Poco Meno Lento (Arr. for Piano)