Your Recommendations for Symphonies by French Composers

[PerfectWagnerite]

Well, any particular ones you think are must-hears, and recommendations for recordings would be nice also. All I have are:

Berlioz - Sym. Fantastique, Harold, etc.
Franck
Saint-Saens - Sym. #3
Bizet
Magnard 1-4
Roussel 1-4
Messiaen - Turangalila

There has to be more.

Thanks everyone.

[Lethevich]

The most notable exclusion I can think of is Méhul, whose symphonies are enjoyable in an early Romantic Weber-ish vein.

Edit: I forgot Henri Dutilleux, mainly because I have not heard his two symphonies, but their reputation seems to be big.

[Bulldog]

There's also Chausson's Symphony.

[PerfectWagnerite]

There's also Chausson's Symphony.

Oh yeah, I know that one also, just forgot to list it.

The most notable exclusion I can think of is Méhul, whose symphonies are enjoyable in an early Romantic Weber-ish vein.

Edit: I forgot Henri Dutilleux, mainly because I have not heard his two symphonies, but their reputation seems to be big.

I have the Mehul set on Marco Polo, okay but if I never hear them again I am not missing much.

Dutilleux I really do not understand on repeated hearing.

[FredT]

The first recording that came to mind was the Saint Saens organ symphony with Charles Munch and the BSO. Finest record Munch ever made. Stunning sound and brilliant musicianship. In Munch's hands, Saint Saens colorful work becomes a truly monumental symphonic masterpiece.

[Dundonnell]

Maurice Emmanuel Nos. 1 and 2 (Marco Polo)
Vincent d'Indy Nos. 1-3(EMI for the first two, No.3 is on Auvidis Valois
Marcel Landowski Nos. 1-4(Warner/Erato boxed set)
Paul Le Flem Nos. 1 and 4 (Timpani and Marco Polo respectively)
Darius Milhaud Nos. 1-12 (CPO cycle)
Joseph-Guy Ropartz Nos. 1-5 (Timpani)
Henri Sauguet Nos. 1-3 (Marco Polo)
Charles Tournemire Nos. 1-7 (Marco Polo except No. No.6 which is on Auvidis Valois)

[SonicMan46]

Well, just quickly went through my classical music database - below are my current recordings of French composer symphonies and the performances owned; some overlap w/ other posts, plus others that I don't own (at least yet!) - of course, there were many French composers writing orchestral music (such as Debussy & Ravel) that would not be classified as 'symphonic' - 

Berlioz, Hector - Symphonie Fantastique - Gardiner (Philips) & Previn (EMI)
Bizet, Georges - Symphony C Major - Orpheus on DG
Chausson, Ernest - Symphony - Dutoit (Decca)
Dutilleux, Henri - Orchestral Works - Tortelier (Chandos)
Farrenc, Louise - Symphonies - Goritzki (CPO)*
Franck, Cesar - Symphony D Minor (Variations) - Tortelier (Chandos)
Koechlin, Charles - Symphonies (Variations) - do not own any
Magnard, Alberic - Symphonies - Sanderling (BIS)
Mehul, Etienne - Symphonies - Swierczewski (Nimbus)
Milhaud, Darius - Symphonies - Francis (CPO)
Onslow, Georges - Symphonies - Goritzki (CPO) - French/British
Roussel, Albert - Symphonies - Janowski (RCA)
Saint-Saens, Camille - Symphony No.3 - DePriest-Fagius (BIS)

* just acquired, yet not added to my database (and recommended!)

[Heather Harrison]

Louise Farrenc immediately comes to mind.  She wrote three symphonies, all of them interesting.  Her style is more Germanic than French, and the influence of Beethoven is quite strong.  She was a contemporary of Schumann, but her style sounds somewhat conservative for the time.

Heather

[Gustav]

Bizet's "Roma" symphony, if you call it a symphony. It seems however, not too many recordings are made. There is one on Naxos by an Australian orchestra, but if you haven't heard it, you definitely should check it out, it features some delightful melodies and nice contrapuntal writing.

[vandermolen]

Another vote for Sauguet Symphony No 1 "Expiatoire"

[Grazioso]

Arthur Honegger (French/Swiss) -- Symphonies 1-5 (Dutoit/Warner Apex)

[SonicMan46]

Louise Farrenc immediately comes to mind.  She wrote three symphonies, all of them interesting.  Her style is more Germanic than French, and the influence of Beethoven is quite strong.  She was a contemporary of Schumann, but her style sounds somewhat conservative for the time.

Heather - thanks for the reminder - I do own her symphonies on CPO - Farrenc also has her own thread, to which both of us have contributed - along w/ dozens of other 'newly' acquired CDs that I've not been added to my database reviewed -    Dave

[PerfectWagnerite]

Guys, which of the above do you think are on the same level as Roussel and Magnard?

[Dundonnell]

Well I would try some d'Indy, Ropartz or Tournemire if you want to hear French symphonies which are(roughly) contemporary with Roussel and Magnard.

I would not put these composers on a higher plane but all three did write rewarding and substantial works.

[vandermolen]

If Honegger counts as French, then a strong vote from me for symphonies 3-5, Ropartz symphonies, Magnard 3 and 4, Tournemire symphonies+the Sauguet mentioned above.

[val]

Some suggestions:

Gossec: Symphonies opus 6 and 12 / Concerto Köln

Vincent d'Indy:   Symphonie Cevenole  / Casadesus, Ormandy

Dukas:  Symphony in C major    / Martinon

Dutilleux:  Symphony n. 1  / Baudo

Dutilleux:  Symphony n. 2  / Munch

[scarpia]

Arthur Honegger (French/Swiss) -- Symphonies 1-5 (Dutoit/Warner Apex)

Honegger is superb, the Duitoit recordings are dismal, well recorded by lacking in rhythmic drive, indistinctly articulated, just makes the music seem dull.  Baudo/Czech Phil (Supraphon) is revelatory, gorgeously performed and recorded.