| Franz André was a Belgian conductor, born Brussels, 10th June 1893, died 20th January 1975. He studied at the Brussels Conservatoire, where he won first prize in violin in 1912. He quickly became interested in conducting. When Belgian Radio was founded in 1923 he was appointed second conductor of the Radio Orchestra. In 1935 he set up the Belgian National Radio Symphony Orchestra, and conducted many premieres with them, including works by Milhaud, Koechlin, Bartók, Britten and Stravinsky. | |
| Debussy – La Mer I. De l’auber a midi sur la mer II. Jeux de vagues III. Dialogue du vent et de la mer L’ Orchestre Symphonique de la Radiodiffusion Nationale Belge, Franz André (credited as Brussels Radio Symphony Orchestra)Mediafire link for Debussy – La Mer – Franz André (This is a zip file – left click the link, download the file, then unzip when downloaded) | Capitol Telefunken KCM 8010 (album of three 45rpm 7” discs) Matrices 45-8049-ID3, 8050-ID4, 8051-ID1, 8052-ID2, 8053-ID4, 8054-ID2 Recorded 17th November 1941 |
| Franck – Le Chasseur Maudit London Philharmonic Orchestra, Franz AndréMediafire link for Franck, Mussorgsky and Saint-Saens conducted by Franz André (This is a zip file – left click the link, download the file, then unzip when downloaded) | Decca X 10079/80 (Issued on English DECCA K1485/6) Matrices AR 10191-2, 10192-2, 10193-2, 10194-2 Recorded 2nd April 1946 |
| Saint-Saëns – Carnival of the Animals Ravel – Daphnis and Chloe Suite No.2 L’ Orchestre Symphonique de la Radiodiffusion Nationale Belge, Franz André with Frank Vanbulck and Jeanne Visele, pianosMediafire link for Saint-Saëns and Ravel – Franz André (This is a zip file – left click the link, download the file, then unzip when downloaded) | Telefunken GMA 41 Matrices LPO-65330-3B, LPO-36498-3B Recorded 5th October 1952 (Saint-Saëns), November 1950 (Ravel) |
| Mussorgsky – Night on the Bare Mountain Saint-Saëns – Danse Macabre L’ Orchestre Symphonique de la Radiodiffusion Nationale Belge, Franz AndréMediafire link for Franck, Mussorgsky and Saint-Saens conducted by Franz André (This is a zip file – left click the link, download the file, then unzip when downloaded) | Telefunken Füllschrift VSK 9012 (Microgroove 78) Matrices 9-036712-IV, 9-036713-III Recorded 9th April 1952, Palais des Beaux Arts, Brussels |
| R. Strauss – Der Rosenkavalier – Waltzes Liszt – Les Preludes L’ Orchestre Symphonique de la Radiodiffusion Nationale Belge, Franz AndréMediafire link for Richard Strauss, Liszt – Franz André (This is a zip file – left click the link, download the file, then unzip when downloaded) | Capitol Telefunken L 8173 Matrices L-8173-Y1, L-8173-Z1 (8-52) Recorded 12th April 1952, 9th April 1952, Palais des Beaux Arts, Brussels |
| Tchaikovksy – Capriccio Italien Op.45 Tchaikovksy – Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture Le Grand Orchestre Symphonique de L’I.N.R. Belge, Bruxelles, Franz AndréMediafire link for Tchaikovsky, Glazunov and Meyerbeer – Franz André (This is a zip file – left click the link, download the file, then unzip when downloaded) | Telefunken LGM 65005 Matrices LP 36720-1A, 36721-1B Recorded 12th and 14th April 1952, Palais des Beaux Arts, Brussels Released 1955 |
| Rimsky-Korsakov – Scheherezade Op.35
I. The Sea and Sinbad’s Ship | Telefunken LP LGX 66018 Matrices: LP.036841-2P, 03684201B Recorded 2nd October 1952, Palais des Beaux Arts, Brussels Released 1954Franz André’s account of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherezade is rich in orchestral colour. The recording dates from a time when orchestral sonorities had not become so homogenised as they are now. This is particularly clear in some of the woodwind solos. |
| Beethoven – Symphony No.7 in A major Op.92
I. Poco sostenuto – Vivace L’ Orchestre Symphonique de la Radiodiffusion Nationale Belge, Franz André Mediafire link for Beethoven – Symphony No.7 – Franz André (This is a zip file – left click the link, download the file, then unzip when downloaded) | Telefunken LT 7023 (Uruguayan issue) Matrices LP 036847, 036848-IIV Recorded 3rd October 1952, Palais des Beaux Arts, Brussels Released February 1954The pressing I worked from is a little worn and battered, so there is some noise, particularly in the second movement. The French sounding woodwinds add a distinctive colour to this recording. |
| Franck – Symphonic Poem “Psyché”. Arthur de Greef – “Four Old Flemish Folksongs” L’Orchestre Symphonique de la Radiodiffusion National Belge | Telefunken LGX 66024 Recorded 5th October 1952 (Franck), 7th October 1952 (De Greef), Palais des Beaux Arts, Brussels Released April 1954This is a rare outing for de Greef as a composer: he’s much better known for his extensive discography as a pianist. |
| Offenbach – Orpheus in der Unterwelt – Overture Suppé – Dichter und Bauer – Overture L’Orchestre Symphonique de la Radiodiffusion Nationale, Belge, Franz AndréOffenbach – Orphée – AndréSuppé – Poet and Peasant – André(mp3 file – click to play, or right click the link, then select “Save as”) | Telefunken UX4507 (7” 45rpm) Matrices 45-9/38418-1-R, 45-9/36989-X-R Recorded 6 and 5 October 1952, Palais des Beaux Arts, Brussels |
| Bizet – L’Arlèsienne Suites 1 & 2
Suite No.1 – I. Prelude Suite No.2 – I. Pastorale L’ Orchestre Symphonique de la Radiodiffusion Nationale Belge, Franz André Mediafire link for Bizet – L’Arlèsienne Suites – Franz André (This is a zip file – left click the link, download the file, then unzip when downloaded) | Telefunken LGX 666021 Matrices LP037096-1B, 037097-1B Recorded 1st October 1953 Issued 1954 |
| Beethoven – Symphony No.4 in Bb major Op.60
I. Adagio – Allegro vivace Mediafire link for Beethoven – Symphony No.4 – Franz André (This is a zip file – left click the link, download the file, then unzip when downloaded) | Telefunken TW 30149 Matrices LP-36959-III, 36960-IV Recorded 2nd October 1953, Palais des Beaux Arts, Brussels Released March 1954 |
| Meyerbeer – Fackeltanz No.1 in B flat major Glazunov – Valse de Concert No.1 in D major Op.47 L’Orchestre Symphonique de la Radiodiffusion Nationale Belge, Franz AndréMediafire link for Tchaikovsky, Glazunov and Meyerbeer – Franz André (This is a zip file – left click the link, download the file, then unzip when downloaded) | Telefunken TM 68014 Matrices MRL 28-1B, 27-1B Recorded 2nd October 1953, Palais des Beaux Arts, Brussels |
| Tchaikovsky – Symphony No.4 in F minor Op.36
I. Andante sostenuto Mediafire link for Tchaikovsky – Symphony No.4 – Franz André (This is a zip file – left click the link, download the file, then unzip when downloaded) | Telefunken GMA 6 Matrices LP0-36726-2A, 36727-3A Recorded 9th April 1954, Palais des Beaux Arts, Brussels Released October 1954 |
| Hérold – Zampa – Overture Adam – Si j’étais Roi – Overture Auber – La Muette de Portici (Masaniello) – Overture Berlioz – Le Carnaval Romain – Overture Auber – Fra Diavolo – Overture
I. Miniature Overture Tchaikovsky – Serenade for Strings in C major Op.48 I. Andante non troppo – Allegro moderato L’ Orchestre Symphonique de la Radiodiffusion Nationale Belge, Franz André (mp3 files – click to play, or right click the link, then select “Save as”) | Telefunken SMA 13 (12” stereo LP) Matrices STE-010355-2D, 010356-2D Recorded October 1955 (Zampa, Muette de Portici), 15th July 1956 (Carnaval Romain, Fra Diavolo), 16th July 1956 (Si j’étais Roi), 17th April 1957 (Mignon), Palais des Beaux Arts, Brussels
Telefunken TC 8001
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| Delibes – Coppélia Suite Prelude and Mazurka Entr’acte and Valse Valse de la Poupée Czardas Delibes – Sylvia Suite Prelude – Les Chasseresses Intermezzo and Valse Lente Pizzicato – Polka Cortège de Bacchus L’Orchestre Symphonique de la Radiodiffusion National Belge, Franz AndréMediafire link for Delibes ballet suites – Franz André (This is a zip file – left click the link, download the file, then unzip when downloaded) | Telefunken TCS 18006 (12” stereo LP) Matrices STE-010393-1, 010392 Recorded 16th (Sylvia) and 17th (Coppélia) April 1957, Palais des Beaux Arts, Brussels |
| Coates – London SuiteI. Covent Garden (Tarantelle) II. Westminster (Meditation) III. Knightsbridge (March)Coates – London Bridge Elgar – Pomp and Circumstance March No.1 in D major Op.39 Gershwin – An American in Paris L’ Orchestre Symphonique de la Radiodiffusion Nationale Belge, Franz AndréMediafire link for Coates, Elgar, Gershwin – Franz André (This is a zip file – left click the link, download the file, then unzip when downloaded) | Telestar 10049 Matrices LP-071621-I, LP-038079-III Recorded 2nd to 7th April 1958 (Coates), 20th April 1957 (Elgar), 19th April 1957 (Gershwin) |
| Ravel – Bolero
L’Orchestre Symphonique de la Radiodiffusion National Belge, Franz André | Telefunken SLB 12001 (12” stereo LP) Matrices XLP – Ste – 10168-IV, 10217-VI Recorded 2-7 April 1958, Palais des Beaux Arts, Brussels |