The Bottom Line: This completely unknown major work is vintage Franck, composed in 1885, the same period as the great orchestral and chamber works on which his reputation now rests. The story is terrifically vivid–a bloody tale of murder, love, revenge and suicide set in Viking-era Norway. This world premiere recording of the composer’s original version belongs in the collection of everyone who loves this composer. Naxos and Fabrice Bollon deserve a huge round of applause for making it available in such a persuasive performance.
