César-auguste Franck (1822 — 1890), Belgian-French Romantic composer and organist who was the chief figure in a movement to give French music an emotional engagement, technical solidity, and seriousness comparable to that of German composers. In 1851 he was appointed organist to the Church of Saint-Jean-Saint-François and in 1858 to that of Sainte-Clotilde, where he was already choirmaster. From the organ loft of Sainte-Clotilde came the improvisations for which he was to become famous and also their elaboration in organ and choral works. This music is all marked by the taste of the day, which was for a facile tenderness and saccharine sweetness in ecclesiastical music. More important to Franck’s career as a composer was his appointment as organ professor at the Paris Conservatory in 1872. His organ classes soon became classes of composition, and his pupils not infrequently proved superior to those of the conventional composition professors.
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/216892/Cesar-Franck
Bound with 3 Pieces pour le Grand Orgue par César Franck" 43p. of music
Fantaisie -- Grande pièce symphonique -- Prélude, fugue et variation -- Pastorale -- Prière -- Final
Provenance: Gift of Steven Roberts (WCSU Music Dept)"
