Franck was born in Liège. 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. His decision to give up a career as a virtuoso led to strained relations with his father during this time.
During his first years in Paris, Franck made his living by teaching, both privately and institutionally. He also held various posts as organist: from 1847-1851 he was organist at Notre Dame de Lorette, and from 1851-1858 he was organist at St. Jean-St. Francois. During this time he became familiar with the work of the famous French organ builder Aristide Cavaille-Coll, and he also worked on developing his technique as an organist and improviser.
In 1858, he became organist at the basilica Sainte-Clotilde, where he remained until his death. Here he began to attract attention for his skill as an improviser. His first set of organ compositions, however, was not published until 1868. From 1872 to his death he was professor of Organ at the Paris Conservatoire. His pupils included Vincent d'Indy, Ernest Chausson, Louis Vierne, 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. It is difficult to overestimate the importance of his contribution to the organ repertoire. His works were some of the finest organ pieces to come from France in over a century, and laid the groundwork for the French symphonic style. In particular, his "Grande Piece Symphonique", a 25-minute work, paved the way for the organ symphonies of Widor, Vierne, and Dupre.
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 a great deal of influence from Franz Liszt and 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). One of his best shorter works is the motet Panis Angelicus.
In 1890, Franck was involved in a serious traffic accident. It was after this accident that he wrote three masterful Chorals for organ. Franck died as a result of complications from the accident very shortly after finishing the Chorals. He was interred in the Cimetière du Montparnasse in Paris.
Franck's organ works have been recorded, in whole or in part, by many famous organists, including Jean Langlais, Marie-Claire Alain, Jeanne Demessieux, and Catherine Crozier.
WORKS FOR ORGAN
- Andantino in G minor (1857) SIX PIECES (published 1868) - Fantaisie in C major - Grande Piece Symphonique - Prelude, Fugue, and Variation - Pastorale - Priere - Final THREE PIECES (1878) - Fantaisie in A major - Cantabile - Piece heroique THREE CHORALS (1890) - Choral in E major - Choral in B minor - Choral in A minor
OTHER IMPORTANT WORKS
- Violin Sonata
- String Quartet
- Piano Quintet in F sharp minor
- Le chasseur maudit (symphonic poem)
- Les djinns (symphonic poem)
- Les Eolides (symphonic poem)
- Psyché (symphonic poem)
- Symphonic Variations for Piano and Orchestra
- Symphony in D minor
- The Beatitudes for chorus, soloists, and orchestra
- Redemption for chorus and orchestra
- Panis Angelicus
External links
- Piano Society.com - Franck - A short biography and some free recordings in MP3 format.