César Franck (1822-1890), born in Liège on 10 December 1822, revolutionized French music in the 19th century.
Praised as the "Messiah of art", he was a master recognized by his peers and revered by his spiritual sons, including Chausson, d'Indy, Duparc, Vierne and fellow countryman Guillaume Lekeu. This discography of inestimable value "restores a perspective that has long been cut off. The musician only achieved his artistic maturity in the final period of his creative activity, after 1870. Franck was, however, not only a gifted pianist, but also a gifted composer, as evidenced by various works, some of which are now being recorded for the first time." (Joël-Marie Fauquet, biographer of César Franck and author of the booklet texts).
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of Liège and Fuga Libera publish for the first time a complete edition of Franck's symphonic and concert works.
This box contains the complete symphonic and concert music of the composer, presented in chronological order and performed by the OPRL. It brings together five conductors, two pianists and a choir and contains several new recordings: the first version of Morceau symphonique from Rédemption (never before released on record), the poem-symphony Psyché, rare or previously unreleased works for piano and orchestra, as well as Gabriel Pierné's orchestration of the Prélude, Choral et Fugue for piano.
For the second part of the '200 Years of Franck' project, Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel and Fuga Libera join forces. The result is a complete edition of Franck's chamber music.
In the field of chamber music, César Franck is especially remembered for his three mature masterpieces: the Violin Sonata, the Piano Quintet and the String Quartet. However, as a young piano virtuoso, he wrote and performed a number of compositions in his early period in Paris, mainly piano trios, which were published as his op. 1 and earned him a favorable recommendation from Franz Liszt! The masters of Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel and their resident artists now invite us to enjoy the first complete recording of this set.
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