– Composer: César-Auguste-Jean-Guillaume-Hubert Franck (10 December 1822 — 8 November 1890)
– Orchestra: Arnhem Philharmonic Orchestra
– Conductor: Roberto Benzi
– Soloist: Francois-Joël Thiollier (piano)
– Year of recording: 1995
“Les Djinns”, Poëme Symphonique pour Piano et Orchestre [Symphonic Poem for Piano & Orchestra], M. 45, written in 1884.
This symphonic poem is unusual in its instrumentation, being in effect a one-movement piano concerto. The word “djinn” is a variant translation of “genie, ” the magical spirits of Arabian legend. The work is a mood-portrait of the magical creatures flying over a city in the darkest part of the night. Their theme, first heard very quietly on bassoons, joins other themes in building to a huge climax for full forces, where a forceful statement for the trombones seems to bespeak their full majesty. Then the mood becomes quieter while they recede into the distant horizon. Exceptional tone painting and sense of mystery exist in this work, which is not often played unfortunately.
The piece is dedicated: “À Madame de Serres”.