LDV176.8

17 ANDRÉ ISOIR The seraphic image, invented by Franck’s own pupils and disciples, who more or less canonised him even before his death, reminds us that of the nine choirs of angels, the seraphim were the closest to God. Should we then consider that, as Tournemire put it, ‘the mystical fragrance of the art of César Franck’ is the only perfume which emanates from the organ works of the master? Indeed, if Franck in the ecstasy of some beatific vision had composed exclusively soli Deo gloria , would he not have devoted the best of his time and talent to religious compositions? But while he often chose biblical texts for his oratorios, not one of his major works, in particular for the organ, is of liturgical inspiration. Franck is first and foremost, organ works included, a Romantic composer. If necessary, the titles of his works would be proof alone, for several are far from indifferent: Prière , a genre at the height of fashion since Mosé by Rossini, ‘high priest’ of Grand Opera; Fantaisie-Idylle , (original title of the A major Fantasy) which, coming in the middle of the revelation of Wagner, makes one wonder if Franck is not writing here his own Tristan ; Pièce héroïque , echo of the grandiose clichés of Eroica fromthe Études d’exécution transcendante and Strauss’s Ein Heldenleben .