He, like Mozart and Beethoven, was known for his skilled art of improvisation. In 1858 he was appointed organist at Sainte-Clotilde a position he maintained until his death. The story goes that he and his bride had to climb over barricades to reach the church as it was in the midst of the June Days Protests. Ultimately his skill as an organist, and his ability to arrange and compose for the instrument led to his fame. It was the first of many appointments: each was a step up the ladder for him. Shortly after moving in with the young woman’s family, he received a position as assistant organist at the local parish church. Fortunately, her parents happily accepted César. His life changed when he finally broke away from his parents, primarily because they objected to his love of the young woman who would become his wife many years later. He made César quit the school, and they returned to Belgium where life did not improve artistically or financially for the composer and back to Paris they went. His father dictated the young man’s every move. He studied privately in Paris until he became a French citizen and was allowed to enroll at the Paris Conservatory. Franck’s father wished his son to follow in the steps of Lizst, to concertize as a piano virtuoso across Europe. Here is a very brief bio of the Romantic composer, organist, pianist, and teacher. I shall start chronologically with a look at Franck and the Violin Sonata. I have listed recordings at the end of the blog. Sometimes listening to new styles of composition is unnerving, and these works are filled with new effects and techniques. I debate whether you should listen to the pieces before you read about them.
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I will ramble as always but will try to make connections and roll out facts and observations that may increase your enjoyment of the two works. There is so much to cover in this commentary. Not his only teacher, but one who lovingly fostered the young French composer’s talents and greatly influenced his compositional style. Are you wondering if there is a connection? Is this a pairing with a purpose? Assuredly, YES! Franck was Chausson’s teacher. 30 will be performed at our opening concerts on Thursday, July 8th and Franck’s Violin Sonata in A Major is the work chosen for the first Gallery Recital on July 10th. With the vaccination rate wonderfully high here in Vermont, MMF is going live! (And yes, we are offering “livestream” for those more comfortable at home.) Thus from my Corner, I offer the 1st of 5 blogs highlighting a work or two from each Thursday Mainstage Concert and a few of the Gallery Recitals.Īdam Neiman asked me to comment on Ernest Chausson (French, 1855-1899) and César Franck (Belgian, 1822-1890). Hello! Welcome back! So much good news coming our way these early summer days.