LDV176.8

Coming between those of Bach and of Messiaen, the organ works of César Franck are a complete whole in themselves. Their place in the repertoire for organ is a particular one, for they provide a rare example of compositions for organ which may claim a significant place in the mainstream of the history of music. Nonetheless, compared to the substantial catalogues of Bach and Messiaen, the essential works of Franck for organ are few in number: a collection of Six Pieces for Great Organ composed between 1856 and 1862 and published in 1863; Three Pieces written in 1878 for the inauguration of the concert organ in the Trocadero Palace and finally, the peak of his achievement, the Three Chorales finished barely a few weeks before his death.