Franck The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux - Symphonie En Ré Mineur

Is this live since Snap, Crackle and Pop sound like they are in the audience?

This was the first recording of Franck's symphony that I heard. The very slow Lento opening, building to the Allegro re-announcement of the main theme, is perfectly paced, and carries an aura of menace. The final climax is tight and emphatic. My sister, partly influenced by the rather weird cover (see https://www.discogs.com/Franck-The-San-Francisco-Symphony-Orchestra-Pierre-Monteux-Symphony-In-D-Minor/master/916326) no doubt, felt the music was evil. However, I saw the whole first movement as representing the triumph of good over evil.
The second movement, with one of Franck's most beautiful melodies, is sensitively rendered. The final movement is solid and convincing. If you are new to Franck, listen in the last movement for the return of motifs from the first & second movements, transformed and developed, a device known as cyclic form. I particularly like the transformation of the menacing motif of the first movement into a gentler form in a major key with rippling harp accompaniment near the end (about 33:00); Monteux does this very well then segues to a forceful climax.

Was my first hearing of the Frank D minor also. Grandparents 78 rpm recording. Still my fav performance after all these years.