Jarosław Tarnawski, Cavaillé-Coll organ (1879), Saint-François-de-Sales, Lyon
RecArt RA0051 [76:00]
★★★★

Jarosław Tarnawski’s plan to record Franck’s most significant works on organs of appropriate age finds perfect voice in the Cavaillé-Coll of Saint-François-de-Sales, Lyon, still largely untouched since its building in 1879. The coupling of the Trois pièces (composed the previous year) and the leave-taking Trois chorals makes for a more than satisfying recital. Tarnawski exploits the instrument’s authentic accent to expressive ends, relishing especially the variety of the Trois pièces, especially so in the Chopin-infused ‘Pièce héroïque’. He treats the chorales with equal aplomb, respectful of their architecture, relishing their palette of colours and emotions.