Late 19th Century France

The works on this program were born out of the emotions experienced moving into a new stage of life while still mourning the previous one — emotions captured well by the two French composers featured. César Franck’s childhood was one defined by his father who pushed him into a world of music and performing that, while showcased his budding talent, proved too demanding and forceful for the young composer. After walking away from his family at the age of 24, he didn’t compose for his first instrument, the piano, until some 38 years later with this, Prélude, choral, et fugue for Piano. It’s a work quintessential of the Late Romantic era full of sonorous harmonies and powerful expression. Gabriel Fauré’s C minor Piano Quartet was composed after a failed engagement to the daughter of a prominent musical family and encompasses his heartbreak but also features melodic richness and harmonic sophistication that has made this his most popular work of chamber music.