Farrenc: Symphonies Nos 1 & 3

Farrenc was one of the most important female musicians of the nineteenth century: once unable to participate in the men-only composition classes of the Paris Conservatoire, she went on to hold a piano professoriate there for 30 years.  While her exceptional talents received a rare degree of visibility in their day, it has taken until fairly recently for her work to be deeply explored.  Conductor Laurence Equilbey is an eloquent and knowledgeable Farrenc champion (see her July 2021 piece in Gramophone), and her informed enthusiasm for the composer is palpable here. The symphonies are rich, smart, passionate works, and Equilbey’s laser-sharp period orchestra does them justice.