Louise Farrenc's Symphony No. 3 // Aurora Orchestra

Discover Louise Farrenc’s Third Symphony - a neglected masterpiece which fizzes with energy and drama.
Louise Farrenc - Symphony No. 3 in G minor
Duncan Ward - conductor
“[Duncan Ward] and Aurora plunged us headlong into the composer’s atmospheric world; you could almost feel you would walk out of the hall into 19th-century Paris.” - ★★★★ the artsdesk
Louise Farrenc was a towering figure in the musical landscape of 19th-century France, achieving the distinction of being the first female Professor of Piano at the Paris Conservatoire (where she successfully fought for equal pay with her male counterparts). Yet despite being admired by such luminaries as Berlioz and Schumann, Farrenc’s music was relatively unknown after her death, and has only recently begun to enjoy the prominence it deserves. Recorded at Kings Place in December 2019, we present Farrenc’s overlooked Third Symphony - muscular, ambitious and expressive - under the baton of Duncan Ward.
Filmed live at Kings Place on Saturday 14 December 2019.
Aurora extends grateful thanks to The Ambache Charitable Trust for supporting this online broadcast. The Ambache Charitable Trust is active in raising the profile of women composers.
To explore more Aurora Play broadcasts, visit www.auroraorchestra.com. #AuroraPlay

[@105robmajor]

I just discovered this marvelous composer after reading Oakland, CA Symphony conductor, Michael Morgan's obit in the NY Times. Maestro Morgan loved presenting works by lesser known composers. The Times mentioned that Louise Farrenc's were among those symphonic works he conducted . Being a resident of Oakland, CA I have seen the Oakland Symphony with Michael Morgan many times and have always enjoyed his conducting and choice of programs. So, I looked up Louise Farrenc and here I am enjoying this beautiful symphony.

[@giancitton2604]

Adagio - Allegro 03:45 Adagio Cantabile 15:01 Scherzo (Vivace) 22:30 Finale (Allegro) 27:54

[@SSNewberry]

A fine addition to the symphonic catalog.

[@AdrienvonFerscht]

I heard something by Louised Faarrenc on BBC Radio 3 today and was hooked!

[@maniak1768]

First! That one clap after the first movement is hilarious. Oh, and great performance! I think that Farrenc's symphonies are not only criminally underperformed, but a lot of existing recordings are also just aweful. I like this performance's approach, there's little cosmetics, which sells especially the second movement for me. Not that much smoothing around the edges and very sterile acoustics which do the piece a great service, because it suddenly sounds as exciting as the score promises. Nicely done!

[@thomaskember4628]

Good to see so many younger musicians also

[@BusterRh1no]

Just discovered her - this is an amazing piece - sound is great. As RW wrote - I Wish I was There! Bravo

[@alastairwatson9535]

I shall be playing it soon! Looking forward to it.

[@normhall1622]

I had never heard of Farrenc until I read an article in the June issue of BBC Music Magazine. It piqued my interest and so here I am listening to her music. I loved this symphony and the performance of it. It sounds more German than French which is interesting. I hope to hear more of her music and will certainly pick up some cds featuring her.

[@jma1841]

Such a beautiful symphony by an unknown composer! How could this be? Thank you, Aurora Orchestra, for the opportunity to get to know Louise Farrenc's music and for the great performance.

[@wyattcarlyle2500]

Truly marvelous!

[@benjaminniemczyk]

Brilliant, inspiring performance of one of the great works of the 19th century!

[@nickyork8901]

what a great piece of music, I hope her work starts to become better known.

[@fredericchopin7538]

Marvelous!

[@JohnStodden1]

Delightful music, and delightful performance!

[@soundzgreg]

Great music, thank you

[@thomaskember4628]

Just discovered this composer on Radio 3 and am staggered that Louise Ferrenc is not known. Pleased it is being noted and hopefully will encourage other orchestras to take this wonderful composers music up.

[@stewco9308]

I heard this symphony on my local classical radio station and wrote it down. But between my lousy spelling and penmanship I was searching for a Louis Frank.

[@margotedge865]

I just really listened closely to this lovely music on Tempo CBC and just had hear it again. Will be paying more attention to the listening schedule as I am daily listener toTempo. Find more Julie or Tom Allen!

[@tj-co9go]

Much better than the version by France Philharmonic Radio Orchestra. More energy, emphasis, rhythm, staccatos, sforzatos. Great interpretation!

[@yes_head]

Camera loves that cellist!

[@davidwyatt850]

But isn't that just because her cello is the only patch of colour in the picture?! Wouldn't it be nice (& fit the music better) if the dress code was more colourful than black, black and more black..... ?

[@adamwho9801]

We are playing this symphony this year. A good example of the classical form, but a little derivative. The whole symphony sounds like something else you have heard before.

[@darrylschultz9395]

Yeah, most stuff composed before about 1870 does.

[@matthewwalloch6250]

4:24 , 5:05 , 29:48

[@flaggerify]

The scherzo probably inspired by Beethoven's 9th.

[@BenzemonstreENTs]

22:30

[@Ro3581]

17:25

[@lolibop96]

Where do movements begin and end?

[@davidchill79]

Adagio - Allegro 03:45 Adagio Cantabile 15:01 Scherzo (Vivace) 22:30 Finale (Allegro) 27:54

[@darrylschultz9395]

I've heard rumours they begin at the 1st note and end at the last.

[@gapont2]

Not so bad but not indcredible neither. Well written, clean, lack of inventions.

[@darrylschultz9395]

To be fair though, nothing's "indcredible".