Eric Lacrouts - Franck - Fauré- Sonates (2022)

The memory remains of the interpretation in 1927 and 1929, by Jacques Thibault and Alfred Cortot, of the Sonatas in A major FWV8 by Franck and of the only op. 13 by Fauré (Angel Records 2025). We could also mention for Franck, but then coupled with Guillaume Lekeu, Christian Ferras and Pierre Barbizet (DG 139 124). Similarly, Arthur Grumiaux's admirable violin, accompanied by György Sebök in Franck and Paul Crossley in Fauré, was for a long time an absolute reference in a recording with the same program (Decca 426 384-2) of that more recently offered by the duo formed by Tedi Papavrami and Nelson Goerner (Alpha 271), which, in 2017, joined these very glorious predecessors. With warmth and passion, but also finesse and subtlety (Andante and Scherzo from Fauré's Sonata op. 13, or Recitativo from Franck's Sonata), Éric Lacrouts and Jean-Baptiste Fonlupt offer here modern interpretations, remarkably thought out and executed, in a high quality sound recording. From 1876 to 1886 then 1916, these three works marked the evolution of an initially classical form, gradually diverted towards modernity by incessant changes of rhythmic moods and harmonic climates which sign there the post-romantic torments of the France at the beginning of the Third Republic and which lead performers and listeners to explore the spaces of a new musical language that Debussy (1916) and Ravel (1922-1927) would occupy with their own sonatas for violin and piano. It is hardly surprising, in this sense, that Proust was able to glimpse in these works of Franck and Fauré like the hypothetical hologram reminiscent of the "little phrase from the Vinteuil Sonata", testimony to a time that was and who is no longer at the time of writing La Recherche du temps perdu (1913-1927). With this new recording we hold another absolutely remarkable milestone in the history of the evolution of the interpretations of these works. (Jacques-Philippe Saint-Gerand)

Eric Lacrouts, Solo Violin of the Opéra Bastille signs here with the amazing pianist Jean-Baptiste Fonlupt a very beautiful version of the Sonata for piano and violin by Franck as well as the two (in A Major and E Major) by Fauré. It is with undisguised pleasure that we find this wonderful violinist again after having had the opportunity to record with him a set of pieces for violin and marimba, the Concertos for two keyboards by J.S. Bach with Hervé and Désiré N'Kaoua, and Botteisni's Grand Duo with Laurène Durantel.