French Composer César Franck Born On This Day in 1822

An astonishingly young talent on the organ, Franck is remembered as a key figure that gave French music emotional engagement, technical solidity and equal footing to their German counterparts

Belgian-born French composer César Franck was born on this day in 1822 – 202 years ago.

Franck's musical talent was evident at a young age, and he was known as an extraordinarily gifted organist. He enrolled at the Liège Conservatoire of Music at the age of 8 and gave his first concert tour aged just 12.

After completing his studies, Franck accepted a position to teach organ at the Paris Conservatoire in 1872. Some of his pupils include composers Ernest Chausson and Henri Duparc.

His signature works include Symphony in D minor, Symphonic Variations for Piano and Orchestra, Piano Quintet in F minor, the symphonic poem "Le Chasseur maudit" and his legendary Violin and Piano Sonata in A Major — the latter of which was a wedding present for violin virtuoso Eugène Ysaÿe. His compositions are distinguished by soaring, improvisatory-like melodic lines.

Dying in 1890, aged 67, Franck’s major contribution to the violin repertoire is his legendary Violin Sonata in A Major – widely regarded among one of the finest ever written.

AUGUSTIN HADELICH & JULIA FISCHER | FRANCK | VIOLIN SONATA IN A MAJOR | 2023