Carey - Franck Prelude, Fugue et Variation (PRELUDE): Message Board

Carey's Comments

This hauntingly beautiful work by Cesar Franck was composed between 1860-62 as a duet for piano and harmonium, and was dedicated to Camille Saint-Saens. . Franck later rewrote the piece for organ. This transcription for piano by pianist Harold Bauer dates back to the early 1900s. Both Franck and Bauer are "unsung heroes" in my eyes. The Prelude, Fugue et Variation is dignified and restrained - a Classical work with Romantic harmony. And while it may sound fairly simple, the work is not easy to play. After all, the pianist with two hands is asked to do what an organist would normally do using two hands, two feet and lots of "stops." I initially heard the Bauer transcription on a CD by pianist Awadagin Pratt about 13 years ago. I've worked on the piece off and on since then - and this is my first attempt to record the entire work.

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Name	Date	Comment
heidiv	2010-08-22 12:10:19	"Haunting" is a good adjective, in that this melody has been playing in my head for a couple of days now. Bravo, carey! A beautiful performance.
Inlanding	2010-08-21 22:32:57	The piece does not sound simple at all. You bring all the voices together very nicely. Interesting music. Thank you for sharing this.
Sorcerer88	2010-08-20 21:46:21	Nice first movement, it really makes you eager to hear the other ones, a great appetizer. I like the dedication to Saint-Saens, another rather unsung hero! Too bad his piano oeuvre is pretty small.
Cinnamonbear	2010-08-20 20:40:44	This comment applies to all 3 sections, and has mainly to do with your comment above about achieving the large "scale" of the organ sound--YOU DID IT! I especially like the big "g-da-bombs!" in the bass. Very fine, colorful playing.