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César-Auguste-Jean-Guillaume-Hubert
Franck (December 10, 1822 - November 8, 1890) was a composer, pianist and
organist.
Franck was born in Liège, Belgium. His father had ambitions for him to become a concert
pianist, and he studied at the
conservatoire in Liège before going to the Paris Conservatoire in 1837. Upon leaving in 1842 he
briefly returned to Belgium, but
went back to Paris in 1844 and remained there for the rest of his life.
Franck appeared in public as a pianist
at the age of 11, playing his own compositions as well as those of other
composers. When he was appointed organist in Paris 1844 (becoming organist of Sainte-Clotilde in
1858), he continued
composing and teaching. From 1872 he was organ professor at the Paris Conservatoire. His pupils included
Vincent d'Indy,
Ernest Chausson and Henri Duparc. As an organist he was particularly noted for his skill in improvisation,
and it is on the
basis of only twelve major organ works that Franck is by many considered the greatest organ composer
after J. S. Bach.
About Franck's work and style:
Many of Franck's works employ "cyclic
form" (the use of one theme in more
than one movement of a work). His music is often
contrapuntally complex,
using a harmonic language
that is firmly Romantic,
showing some influence from Richard Wagner.
Franck's fame rests largely on a
small number of compositions written in his later years, particularly his symphony (1886-88),
the Symphonic Variations for piano and orchestra (1885), the Prelude, Choral and Fugue
for piano solo (1884) and a sonata for
violin and piano (1886).
Franck's last work (and one of his
greatest) is the Choral No. 3, in A minor. Franck died in 1890 and was interred in the
Cimetière du Montparnasse in Paris.
Franck's Piano works:
Franck's earlier piano music was designed
for his own virtuoso performance. Only two later works remain in general repertoire,
Prelude, Choral and Fugue and Prelude, Aria and Finale, are known to the professional
piano player (completed in 1887).
In 1942 Edition Peters (No 4529) presented
a collection of 18 characteristic pieces from 2 unpublished books of compositions for
the Harmonium - Piano. They were written to illustrate advice given to students and were composed between
the years 1858
and 1863. None are very difficult to play and should;d help to reach the standard required in Franck's
two major cycles. They are
a great source of unique ideas for your own improvisation and compositions.
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1. Piano Songs
