Symphony No 1 in C minor Op 4
Symphony No 2 in E major Op 6
Symphony No 3 in B flat minor Op 11
Symphony No 4 in C sharp minor Op 21

Albéric Magnard really is the great so-far-undiscovered master of French music. Born in 1865 (the same year as Sibelius, Nielsen and Glazunov), the son of the managing editor of Le Figaro, his reticent personality prevented him from courting fame or even performances of his music. But he wrote two operas, chamber music, and four wonderful symphonies unsurpassed by any other French composer of his time. His end was tragic: in 1914, defending his estate in Normandy, he was shot dead by German soldiers who then burned his house down, destroying many manuscripts (including one of the operas mentioned above which is now lost for ever).

His four-movement symphonies are substantial in length, cyclic in character, serious, attractively scored, slightly melancholic, and well worth getting to know.



'An absorbing musical encounter that should spawn its fair share of Magnard converts' (The Independent)

'C'est magnifique. Pick of the Month' (BBC Music Magazine)

'The works are insinuating. I keep wanting to come back for more. Another Hyperion success' (Classic CD)

'A set of performances which brings this music alive in a way that it can rarely have enjoyed since its composition. Something of a discovery then, which will hopefully lead to a further interest in an endlessly fascinating composer' (Hi-Fi News)

'These albums compel the highest recommendation' (Fanfare, USA)

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dawniej CDA 67030 & CDA 67040 / Recording details: Various dates; Caird Hall, Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom; Produced by Various producers; Engineered by Various engineers; Release date: January 2009;