The tragic death of Alberic Magnard, killed defending his home against German troops in 1914, brought a premature end to the composer’s life but not before he had completed four powerfully expressive symphonies (the Third and Fourth are on 8.574082). Symphony No. 1, with its strangely beautiful chorale, was first performed in 1893 but was then not heard again for a century. Symphony No. 2 caused a scandal at its premiere due to its length and complexity, but in its revised version offers radiant serenity and a dazzling confidence that reveals Magnard’s true compositional voice.

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REVIEW:

The outer movements have a flowing quality with a bit of quiet ecstasy that exemplifies what led people to call Magnard the French Bruckner, even though his music has a very different flavor. Keeping the long line going here is not easy to do, but Bollon excels, and he’s aided by excellent sound. This recording may make many listeners ask themselves how they could have been missing Magnard all these years.

– AllMusic Guide (James Manheim)