Franck: Father of the Organ Symphony

Franck: Father of the Organ Symphony

At the centre of this boxed-set are three films that explore his life and work. In Franck: Life of an Organist, Eric Lebrun, biographer of Franck, traces the most important events of his life and shows how his organ music fits into his overall canon. In An Introduction to Franck’s Twelve Great Organ Works, David Noël-Hudson offers a textual analysis of all twelve pieces, including a groundbreaking thesis showing how the Trois Chorals can be seen as a single, cyclic work with three movements. In Franck and Performance Practice on the Organ, Joris Verdin demonstrates how to play Franck’s music in a historically informed manner.

All twelve works are presented over the CDs and DVDs, in stunning recordings on key organs built by Franck’s great patron, Aristide Cavaillé-Coll, including the magnificent instrument in the cathedral of Saint-Omer. In addition, various bonus tracks include movements from L’organiste, Franck’s valedictory work for the harmonium. In sum, these films and recordings provide the content and context of Franck’s greatest organ music.