Cesar Franck (1822-1890), Belgian-French composer and organist, was born in Liège, Belgium, and received his musical education at the Liège and Paris conservatories. Franck led a retíred life, devoted almost entirely to composing and teaching. He served as a church organist, first at Saint-Jean-Saint-Francois and then at Sainte-Clotilde. In 1872 he was appointed professor of the organ at the Paris Conservatory. The following year he became a French citizen. His death was caused by complications of injuries incurred when he was struck accidentally by an omnibus.
Franck exerted a great influence on later composers and is today considered the founder not only of modern French instrumental music but also of the French school of organ music. Nevertheless, few composers of Franck's reputation have received so little recognition during their lifetimes. It was not until the last year of his life that a performance of his work was received with unqualified enthusiasm.
His works include the opera Hulda; the symphonic poem The Accursed Hunter; the oratorios Ruth, The Redemption, and The Beatitudes; a string quartet; and a sonata for piano and violin. Perhaps best known are his single symphony in D minor and his compositions for the organ.
