César Franck (1822-1890)

Donald Macleod explores how Cesar Franck, who was, known for being retiring and unassuming, became a leading figure of French musical life.

It seems as if Franck's diffident character positively hindered his advancement. He wasn't interested in moving in glamorous social circles, and lived, according to one visitor who called on him the year before he died, "like a monk". This natural reticence may be why the composer of popular works such as the Violin Sonata, the Piano Quintet, a ground-breaking String Quartet and the glorious Symphony in D found that all too often his critics were quick to find fault and were slow to recognise his worth. He had some disappointments to bear, in an age when opera was thriving, none of his four operas saw the light of day in his lifetime. Recognition for his two major choral works, La Rédemption and Les Béatitudes was to come after his death in 1890 at the age of 67. Franck did enjoy some support. Early on Liszt recognised his talent and did his best to help him get his work performed, and later on a band of his pupils, among them the composer Vincent d'Indy did their best to promote their beloved teacher's music.

To mark the 200th anniversary of Franck's birth, Donald Macleod spends the week delving a bit deeper into this enigmatic and complex character from his early compositions which pay homage to Liszt and the pianistic tradition of Hummel, to the wonderfully vivid pictorial canvas of Le Chasseur Maudit.

Music Featured:

Panis angelicus (Messe á trois voix, Op 12 FVW 61) Variations brillantes sur Gustave III, Op 8 (excerpt) Trio Concertant No 2 in B flat Op 1, No 2 (4th mvt) Ce qu’on entend sur la montagne L’ange et l’enfant Les Septs Paroles du Christ au Croix, No 7 Prélude, Fugue et Variation (Six Pieces, Op 18) Symphonic Variations Egologue, Op 3 Stradella (Overture) Hulda (Act 4: excerpt) Patria Piano Quintet in F minor (3rd mvt) La Rédemption (7th – 9th mvt) Violin sonata Op 23 (1st mvt) Prélude, Choral et Fugue Blessed are the Meek (Les Béatitudes, No 2) Rebecca (Camel drivers’chorus) Prélude (Prélude, Aria et Final) String Quartet in D major (4th mvt) Chorale No 3 in A minor, M40 Symphony in D (3rd mvt)

Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Johannah Smith

For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for César Franck (1822-1890) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001fnfs

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z