Role

:

Composer

Country

:

France

Birth

:

December 10, 1822 in Liège, Belgium

Death

:

November 8, 1890 in Paris, France

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

 

Vocal

 

César Franck was a Belgian-born composer who lived from 1822 to 1890. He was born in Liège, Belgium, to a family of musicians. His father was a piano teacher, and his mother was a singer. Franck showed an early talent for music and began studying the piano with his father at a young age. In 1834, Franck's family moved to Paris, where he continued his musical studies. He studied the organ with François Benoist and composition with Anton Reicha. He also attended the Paris Conservatory, where he studied piano with Pierre Zimmermann and composition with Fromental Halévy. Franck's early compositions were influenced by the music of Bach, Beethoven, and Schumann. He wrote a number of piano pieces, including his Prelude, Chorale, and Fugue, which is still considered one of his most important works. He also wrote a number of chamber music pieces, including his String Quartet in D Major. In 1858, Franck was appointed organist at the Basilica of Sainte-Clotilde in Paris, a position he held for the rest of his life. He became known for his improvisations on the organ, which were said to be extraordinary. He also began to compose more religious music, including his Mass in A Major and his oratorio Les Béatitudes. In 1872, Franck was appointed professor of organ at the Paris Conservatory, a position he held until his death. He was a strict teacher, but his students included some of the most important French composers of the time, including Vincent d'Indy, Ernest Chausson, and Henri Duparc. Franck's most famous work is his Symphony in D Minor, which he composed in 1888. The symphony is considered one of the greatest works of the Romantic era and is known for its use of cyclic form, in which themes from earlier movements are repeated and developed in later movements. The symphony was not well-received at its premiere, but it has since become one of Franck's most popular works. Franck's other important works include his Prelude, Fugue, and Variation for organ, his Piano Quintet in F Minor, and his Sonata for Violin and Piano in A Major. He also wrote a number of other religious works, including his Three Chorales for Organ and his Panis Angelicus. Franck died in Paris in 1890, at the age of 68. He was buried in the Montparnasse Cemetery in Paris. His music continues to be performed and recorded today, and he is considered one of the most important composers of the Romantic era.

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