Franck, César

Composer Information

César Franck (10 December 1822 – 8 November 1890) was a composer, pianist, organist, and music teacher who worked in Paris during his adult life. He was born at Liège, in what is now Belgium (though at the time of his birth it was under the control of the Netherlands). In that city he gave his first concerts in 1834. He studied privately in Paris from 1835, where his teachers included Anton Reicha. After a brief return to Belgium, and a disastrous reception to an early oratorio Ruth, he moved to Paris, where he married and embarked on a career as teacher and organist. He gained a reputation as a formidable improviser, and travelled widely in France to demonstrate new instruments built by Aristide Cavaillé-Coll. In 1858 he became organist at Sainte-Clotilde, a position he retained for the rest of his life. He became professor at the Paris Conservatoire in 1872; he took French nationality, a requirement of the appointment. His pupils included Vincent d'Indy, Ernest Chausson, Louis Vierne, Charles Tournemire, Guillaume Lekeu and Henri Duparc. After acquiring the professorship Franck wrote several pieces that have entered the standard classical repertoire, including symphonic, chamber, and keyboard works. [source from Wikipedia]

Work

• The Accursed Huntsman, FWV 44
• Psyche, FWV 47
• 3 Pieces for the Grand Organ
• The Organist
• Prelude Chorale and Fugue, Op. 21
• Prelude, Aria and Finale, Op. 23
• Symphony in D minor, FWV 48
• Piano Quintet in F minor, FWV 7
• Symphonic Variations, FWV 46
• Violin Sonata in A major, FWV 8
• 3 Chorals for Organ