A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Franck, César
FRANCK, César Auguste Jean Guillaume Hubert, pianist, organist, and composer, became a naturalized Frenchman in 1873, having been born at Liège, Dec. 10, 1822. He began his musical studies at the Conservatoire at his native place, and at the age of fifteen was admitted to the Conservatoire at Paris, where in 1838 he gained a first prize for piano under Zimmermann, in 1839 and 1840 a second and first prize for counterpoint and fugue under Leborne, and in 1841 a second prize for organ, under Benoist. He did not compete for the Prix de Rome, owing to his father's wish that he should devote himself to the organ and piano. Having completed his musical education, Franck settled in Paris, devoting himself entirely to teaching and composition; in 1846 he produced at the Conservatoire his oratorio 'Ruth,' which passed unnoticed at the time, but which, twenty-five years later, served to bring his name before the public. The career of this modest and enthusiastic artist has been one of assiduous work and of attention to his profession of organist, first at St. Jean St. François and afterwards at Ste. Clotilde, where he was appointed maître de chapelle in 1858 and organist in 1860, and where he has since remained. In 1872 his nomination as professor of the organ at the Conservatoire in place of his master Benoist, who had retired after fifty years' service, gave him naturally more importance and enabled him to exercise considerable influence over music in France. He became the centre of a group of young composers who were anxious to study orchestral composition without passing through the Conservatoire, where no attention was paid to the symphonic style, care being only given to operatic composition. By his serious character both as a man and an artist, and by the weight of his learning and the lofty style of his works, Franck seemed especially fitted to hold a position then little sought after, and thus by degrees he acquired great influence over his disciples, initiating them into the musical life, and encouraging them by example and advice. This position has greatly enlarged Franck's sphere of influence during the last fifteen years, and the French government has recognized his services and his merits by conferring upon him in August 1885, the title of Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur.
Franck's compositions, none of which have been produced on the stage, are too many to enumerate. His chief works are the four oratorios: 'Ruth,' composed 1845, produced 1846, recast and edited 1868, and revived at the Cirque d'été in 1871, and at the Concerts du Conservatoire in Feb. 1872; 'Rédemption,' composed 1872, produced at the Concert Spirituel at the Odéon, on Holy Thursday, 1873; 'Rébecca' and 'Les Beatitudes,' both written in 1879, fragments of which have been executed at various concerts. He has also composed two operas, 'Le Valet de Ferine,' written in 1848 for the Opéra National, then under the direction of Adolphe Adam, and 'Hulda,' finished in 1885, selections from which have been heard at concerts in Paris and Antwerp. The following are also worthy of mention: 'Les Éolides' and 'Le Chasseur maudit' (after Bürger's legend), both for orchestra; 'Les Djinns' and 'Variations Symphoniques,' both for piano and orchestra; an important collection of organ pieces, offertoires and chants d'église; trios and a quintet for piano and strings, a prelude, chorale, and fugue for piano solo, a mass and several motets, various songs, and recently a sonata for piano and violin. Loftiness of thought, great regard to purity of form, and natural richness of development, characterize his works; unfortunately his creative power is not equal to his scientific knowledge, and he is often wanting in the freshness of inspiration which is found in 'Ruth,' his most poetical and pleasing composition. His works are nevertheless those of one who may be depended upon for elegance and for interesting combinations, and who has more than once, by force of will and learning, succeeded in attaining the high ideal which he has always had in view. (Died Nov. 1890.)