CÉSAR FRANCK (1822-1890): Souvenirs of Aix-la-Chapelle, Op. 7*, Four Schubert Song Transcriptions*, Op. 8, Ballade, Op. 9, Fantasy on Two Polish Folk Songs, Op. 15.

Description: These youthful works, written for Franck's own performance, date from 1843-44. The Souvenirs prefigure the spiritual element found in his late piano music and the Schubert transcriptions remain closer to the original than Liszt's of similar date. The Ballade is a big, 16-minute piece ranging from idyllic to heroic and the two Polish songs will be familiar as they were also used by Chopin in his Grande fantaisie, Op. 13. Julia Severus (piano).  * - World Premiere Recordings.