Almost half a century ago, after hearing the opening sections of The Beatitudes at Franck’s modest apartment in Paris, Alexis de Castillon wrote these words: ‘I always feel that he has something in him quite beyond the mere qualities of a great musician. He makes me think of Fra Angelica – people have said that Fra Angelica painted with his inner soul, and the same words might be applied to Franck: he has the soul of a seraph.”

South African pianist Pieter van Zyl displays similar adoration for the music of César Franck in his brilliant debut CD release, featuring solo piano works by the composer.

Franck’s music - inherently emotional and romantic - shows a strong affinity with the Baroque. Preoccupied with construction, we find in his music a tug between form and fantasy. In the keyboard works there is an unusual and very personal piano/organ duality: his swan-song, the Three Chorals for Organ (d’Indy calls this set ‘the last prayer of a sincere believer’) was composed on an old piano during his stay in Nemours shortly before his death on 8 Nov 1890; the two late piano-masterpieces undeniably recalls the sonorities of an organ.

All three works on this recording are composed in three-part form, also known as triptych form. This structure, ideal for displaying the resources of the instrument while combining lyrical and dramatic elements, appealed to Franck. On this recording you can hear:

- Prelude, Fugue and Variation, Op 18
- Prelude, Choral and Fugue
- Prelude, Aria and Finale

Price of CD : R120
To Buy/Order : Contact Pieter van Zyl on +27 (0)84 840 9571.