César Franck gradually gave up his career as a virtuoso pianist while completing his studies with various Parisian masters, including organist François Benoist. From 1853 onwards, Franck was organist at several important Parisian churches before taking a position at Sainte-Clotilde, where he could take advantage of the brand-new Cavaillé-Coll instrument. He composed works for organ and in other genres that were part of what is now known as the French Renaissance. Franck also composed pieces specifically intended for the harmonium.

Ricercar and Outhere Music are proud to celebrate Franck's two-hundredth birthday with a reissue of his complete works for organ and harmonium, in which Joris Verdin has incorporated Franck's own recently discovered metronome markings in his fascinating interpretations.