Rollin Smith's systematic study of the Franck organ works serves as a permanent masterclass. Beginning with a concentrated chapter summarizing Franck’s life and his social and musical milieu in Paris, Smith moves systematically through the organ works in lucid prose, addressing registration, tempo, discrepancies in manuscript and published scores, and other issues of effective, authentic, and accurate performance. Many illustrations and musical examples enhance the text. 312 pp., published by Pendragon, hardbound. |