December 10, 1822:
07:00 César-Auguste-Jean-Guillaume-Hubert Franck is born at no.13 rue Saint-Pierre in Liège, in the Walloon District of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the second of five children (eldest of two surviving infancy) born to Nicholas-Joseph Franck, an unemployed clerk, and Marie-Catherine-Barbe Frings, the daughter of a German textile merchant.
August 25, 1832:
César Franck (9) is given a large collection of the music of Johann Nepomuk Hummel (53) as a prize for winning the first prize in solfege at the Royal Conservatory of Liège.
December 2, 1833:
César Franck (10) begins harmony lessons with Joseph Daussoigne at the Royal Conservatory of Liège.
February 22, 1834:
César Franck (11) wins the First Prize in piano at the Royal Conservatory of Liège.
June 24, 1835:
César Franck (12) begins lessons in composition with Anton Reicha in Paris.
November 17, 1835:
César Franck (12) gives his first piano recital in Paris, at the Gymnase Musical. In spite of a vigorous advertising campaign by his father, no review appears in the press.
February 23, 1837:
César Franck (14) plays the piano in a concert featuring several different performers at the Athénée Musical, Paris. He performs part of his own Deuxième grand concerto for piano and orchestra. Although overshadowed by others on the program, he receives mildly positive notices.
April 23, 1837:
In the third and last performance in Paris after his “farewell” concert, Franz Liszt (25) plays on a program with Charles Valentin Alkan (23) and César Franck (15).
April 30, 1837:
The piano manufacturer Pape presents a piano performance in Paris featuring Franz Liszt (25), Charles-Valentin Alkan (23), Johann Pixis, and César Franck (14). Despite the glittering competition, Franck is reviewed positively.
October 4, 1837:
After waiting a year to become a French citizen, César Franck (14) is enrolled in the Conservatoire. He enters the counterpoint class of Aimé-Ambroise-Simon Leborne.
April 1, 1838:
Deuxième Trio Concertant for violin, cello, and piano by César Franck (15) is performed for the first time, in Salle Chantereine, Paris.
August 2, 1838:
César Franck (15) wins the First Prize in piano at the Paris Conservatoire. The jury, consisting of Director Luigi Cherubini (77), Adolphe Adam (35), Camille Pleyel, Charles-Valentin Alkan (24), Jacques Herz, Charles Kontzki, Félix Le Couppey, and Jean Schneitzhoeffer, are unanimous.
October 1, 1838:
Conservatoire student César Franck (15) begins two courses in Paris in piano for amateurs, one for gentlemen, one for ladies.
January 10, 1839:
Notre-Dame des orages, a cantata for two voices and piano by César Franck (16) to words of the Comte de Pastoret, is performed for the first time, in the Salle Erard, Paris.
March 24, 1839:
César Franck (16) appears as piano soloist with the Conservatoire Concerts Society, Paris, playing music of Johann Nepomuk Hummel (60).
March 31, 1839:
An extremely laudatory review of César Franck’s (16) performance of 24 March appears in the Revue musicale written by Hector Berlioz (35).
February 16, 1841:
The Premiere grande symphonie of César Franck (18) is performed for the first time, at the Société d’Orléans, Paris.
July 21, 1841:
César Franck (18) wins the Second Prize in organ at the Paris Conservatoire.
February 1, 1842:
Reverie et caprice for violin and orchestra by Hector Berlioz (38) is performed for the first time, in the Salle Vivienne, Paris before an audience which includes Franz Liszt (30), Marie d’Agoult, and César Franck (19). Because of muscle spasms, Berlioz conducts most of the concert with his left hand.
April 22, 1842:
César Franck (19) withdraws from the Paris Conservatoire and departs with his father for Belgium.
January 8, 1843:
La France musicale reports that King Leopold of Belgium has accepted the dedication of César Franck’s (20) three trios. They may now be published as his Op.1.
December 1, 1843:
Deuxième Duo sur le Quatuor de “Lucille” de Grétry op.17 for piano four hands by César Franck (20) is performed for the first time, in Liège.
December 8, 1843:
King Leopold of Belgium confers a gold medal on César Franck (20), renowned as a piano virtuoso.
April 2, 1845:
Solo de piano avec accompagnement de quintette op.10 by César Franck (22) is performed for the first time, in Salle Erard, Paris.
July 16, 1845:
Premier Duo sur le “God Save the King” op.4 for piano four hands by César Franck (22) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
October 30, 1845:
In a concert organized by the father of the composer, the églogue biblique Ruth for solo voices, chorus and orchestra by César Franck (22) to words of the Bible and Guillemin is performed for the first time, in the Salle Erard, Paris. Present at the invitation of the elder Franck are Gaspare Spontini (70), Giacomo Meyerbeer (54), Fromental Halévy (46), Adolphe Adam (42), Charles-Valentin Alkan (31), Franz Liszt (34) and Ignaz Moscheles. The composers are mildly lauditory except for Liszt who is effusively so.
January 4, 1846:
Ruth, an églogue biblique by César Franck (23) to words of the Bible and Guillemin, is performed publicly for the first time, at the Paris Conservatoire. The audience is lukewarm, the critics are widely mixed. See 30 October 1845.
February 22, 1848:
César Franck (25) marries Félicité (Saillot) Desmousseaux, daughter of two actors in the Comédie-Française, in the Church of Notre-Dame-de-Lorette, Paris. Desmousseaux is the stage name of her parents, Saillot her legal name. The couple are given safe conduct by revolutionaries over their barricades as they leave church.
May 26, 1854:
Pièce pour Grand Orgue in A by César Franck (31) is performed for the first time, in the Church of Saint-Eustache, Paris by the composer, at the inauguration of a new Ducroquet organ.
July 13, 1856:
A Fantaisie (I) in C for organ by César Franck (33) is performed for the first time, at the Cavaillé-Coll studio, Paris by the composer.
November 30, 1857:
The Church of Sainte-Clotilde is consecrated in Paris. César Franck (34) conducts a large choir and orchestra and also plays a chamber organ, the main organ not being finished.
December 19, 1859:
One of Cavaillé-Coll’s finest instruments is inaugurated at the Church of Sainte-Clotilde by the basilica’s organist, César Franck (37).
April 2, 1861:
César Franck’s (38) incomplete Messe à 3 voix for chorus and orchestra is performed for the first time, in the Church of Sainte-Clotilde, Paris, conducted by the composer. The reception is “universally hostile.” The orchestration will be reduced to organ, harp, cello, and bass.
April 29, 1862:
Camille Saint-Saëns (26), Georges Schmitt, César Franck (39), Alexander Guilmant, and August Bazille inaugurate the new Cavaillé-Coll organ in the Church of Saint-Sulpice, Paris.
November 17, 1864:
Two works for organ by César Franck (41) are performed for the first time, in the Church of Sainte-Clotilde, Paris by the composer: Fantaisie op.16 and Grande Pièce Symphonique op.17.
April 3, 1866:
In the church of Sainte-Clotilde, Paris, Franz Liszt (54) hears improvisations by the church’s organist, César Franck (43) and is very impressed.
March 6, 1868:
Fantaisie (III) in C for organ by César Franck (45) is performed for the first time, in the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Paris by the composer at the inauguration of the Cavaillé-Coll organ. Among the several organists taking part are Charles-Marie Widor and Camille Saint-Saëns (32).
September 3, 1870:
César Franck (47) completes the fourth section of his oratorio Les béatitudes while Paris is being bombarded by the Germans.
February 25, 1871:
The Société National de Musique is founded in the Paris home of Henri Duparc by César Franck (48), Camille Saint-Saëns (35), Georges Bizet (32), Jules Massenet (28), Gabriel Fauré (25), Henri Duparc (23), Vincent d’Indy (19), and others. The concerts of the Society are to be limited to living French composers.
November 25, 1871:
Trio de salon op.1/2 for violin, cello, and piano by César Franck (48) is performed for the first time, by the Société National de Musique, Paris.
February 1, 1872:
César Franck (49) enters upon duties as Professor of Organ at the Paris Conservatoire.
April 10, 1873:
Rédemption, a symphonic poem for soprano, female chorus, speaker, and orchestra by César Franck (50), to words of Blau, is performed for the first time, in the Théâtre de l’Odéon, Paris. Many of the audience walk out, perhaps owing to the performance.
May 16, 1874:
The first part of a revised version of Rédemption, a symphonic poem for soprano, female chorus, speaker, and orchestra by César Franck (51), is performed for the first time, in Paris. It meets with about as much success as the original. See 10 April 1873.
March 2, 1875:
Georges Bizet (36) visits César Franck’s (52) organ class at the Paris Conservatoire and gives away two Carmen tickets. One recipient, Vincent d’Indy (23), later will remember that of the eight members of the class, no one recognized Bizet by sight. In fact, he has been auditing the class anonymously for some time. Lamenting the fact that he has only two tickets, Bizet remarks, “Unfortunately that is too few; but you know even the most beautiful girl in the world can give no more than she has.”
March 15, 1875:
The second and final version of César Franck’s (52) symphonic poem Rédemption for soprano, female chorus, speaker, and orchestra to words of Blau is performed for the first time, at the Paris Conservatoire. It has a better response this time. See 10 April 1873 and 16 May 1874.
May 13, 1877:
Les Éolides, a symphonic poem by César Franck (54) is performed for the first time, in the Salle Erard, Paris.
June 27, 1878:
The prologue to Les béatitudes, an oratorio by César Franck (55) to words of the Bible adapted by Colomb, is performed for the first time, in the Trocadéro, Paris. See 15 June 1891.
October 1, 1878:
César Franck (55) premieres his Trois pieces in a recital of all his own works, on the new organ of the Trocadéro, Paris.
February 20, 1879:
Les béatitudes, an oratorio by César Franck (56) to words of the Bible adapted by Colomb, is performed for the first time, in the composer’s Paris apartment with piano accompaniment. Franck sprained his wrist yesterday and the piano part is played by his student, Vincent d’Indy (27). Some who promised to come, including Jules Ferry, Minister of Education, Olivier Halanzier, director of the Opéra, and Ambroise Thomas (67), fail to show. Édouard Lalo (56) is there as a critic. The listeners leave one by one during the performance and only a few friends of Franck remain at the conclusion. See 15 June 1891.
November 21, 1880:
Part four of Les béatitudes, an oratorio by César Franck (57) to words of the Bible adapted by Colomb, is performed for the first time with orchestra, at the Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris. See 15 June 1891.
March 15, 1881:
Rébecca, scéne biblique for solo voices, chorus, and orchestra by César Franck (58) to words of Collin, is performed for the first time, by the Société Chorale d’Amateurs Guillot de Sainbris, with piano accompaniment. See 16 May 1911.
March 31, 1883:
Ernest Chausson’s (28) symphonic poem Viviane is performed for the first time, by the Société National de Musique, in the Salle Erard, Paris. The work arouses no interest on the part of the public. Also on the program is the premiere of César Franck’s (60) symphonic poem Le chasseur maudit.
January 12, 1884:
Madrigal op.35 for vocal quartet and piano by Gabriel Fauré (38) to words of Silvestre, is performed for the first time, by the Société National de Musique, Paris. Also premiered are two excerpts from César Franck’s (51) unperformed opera Hulda, played on piano. See 17 April 1884 and 8 March 1894.
April 17, 1884:
Excerpts from César Franck’s (61) unperformed opera Hulda are performed, this time with orchestra, at the Trocadéro, Paris, conducted by the composer. See 12 January 1884 and 8 March 1894.
January 24, 1885:
Prélude, Choral et Fugue for piano by César Franck (62) is performed for the first time, in the Salle Pleyel, Paris.
March 15, 1885:
Three works are performed for the first time by the Société National de Musique in the Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris: Les Djinns, a symphonic poem by César Franck (62), Symphony no.2 op.40 by Gabriel Fauré (39), and La sulamite, a scène lyrique for mezzo-soprano, female chorus, and orchestra by Emanuel Chabrier (44) to words of Richepin.
August 6, 1885:
César Franck (62) is awarded the Cross of the Legion of Honor.
May 1, 1886:
Variations symphoniques for piano and orchestra by César Franck (63) is performed for the first time, in the Salle Pleyel, Paris, conducted by the composer. The audience reaction is warm but not effusive.
November 21, 1886:
Romain Bussine and Camille Saint-Saëns (51) resign from the Société national de musique when the committee agrees to Vincent d’Indy’s motion to allow old and foreign music. Within a week, César Franck (63) will become president, Vincent d’Indy (35) and Ernest Chausson (31) secretaries, and Gabriel Fauré (41) treasurer.
December 16, 1886:
Sonata for violin and piano in A by César Franck (64) is performed for the first time, during the Franck festival in Brussels. This is the last of several Franck works performed outside today. It is so late, the musicians (including Eugène Ysaÿe) can not see the music and perform most of it from memory.
January 30, 1887:
Part eight of Les béatitudes, an oratorio by César Franck (57) to words of the Bible adapted by Colomb, is performed for the first time with orchestra, at the Cirque d’hiver, Paris, conducted by the composer. See 15 June 1891.
March 10, 1888:
Psyché, a symphonic poem by César Franck (65), is performed for the first time, in the Salle Erard, Paris, conducted by the composer.
May 12, 1888:
Prélude, aria et final for piano by César Franck (65) is performed for the first time, in the Salle Pleyel, Paris. In the same concert, La fée aux chansons op.27/2 for voice and piano by Gabriel Fauré to words of Silvestre is performed for the first time, on the composer’s 43rd birthday.
January 19, 1889:
Two works for two voices and orchestra by César Franck (66) to words of Daudet are performed for the first time, in the Salle Pleyel, Paris: Aux petits enfants and La Vierge à la Crèche. Also premiered is the third of the Trois romances sans paroles op.17 for piano by Gabriel Fauré (43). See 25 February 1881.
April 27, 1889:
La procession for solo voice and orchestra by César Franck (66) to words of Brizeux is performed for the first time, in the Salle Pleyel, Paris.
April 19, 1890:
String Quartet in D by César Franck (67) is performed for the first time, by the Société National de Musique, Paris where it is well received.
April 27, 1890:
Hymne for four voices and piano by César Franck (67) to words of Racine is performed for the first time, in Tournai. See 30 November 1890.
July 4, 1890:
This is the approximate date of an accident in Paris wherein César Franck (67) is struck on the right side by the carriage pole of a moving bus. He resumes his activities but within days is confined to his bed.
October 18, 1890:
César Franck (67) is confined to his home by illness stemming from an accident last 4 July. It soon becomes pneumonia.
October 20, 1890:
César Franck (67) musters enough strength to play the organ at the Church of Sainte-Clotilde. He will never be seen in public again.
November 7, 1890:
César Franck (67), who has been in failing health since an accident last 4 July, suffers a relapse. He is administered the Last Rites of the Roman Catholic Church.
November 10, 1890:
After a memorial service in the Church of Sainte-Clotilde, the earthly remains of César Franck are laid to rest in the Cimitière de Montparnasse, Paris. The oration is made by Emanuel Chabrier (49). Édouard Lalo (67), Camille Saint-Saëns (55), Léo Delibes (54), Gabriel Fauré (45), and Charles-Marie Widor are also present but many other prominent musicians do not attend.
November 30, 1890:
Hymne for four voices and orchestra by César Franck (†0) to words of Racine is performed for the first time, in Liège. See 27 April 1890.
June 15, 1891:
Les béatitudes op.53, an oratorio by César Franck (†0) to words of the Bible adapted by Colomb, is performed for the first time with orchestral accompaniment, in Dijon. See 27 June 1878, 20 February 1879, 21 November 1880, and 30 January 1887.
March 8, 1894:
Hulda, an opera by César Franck (†3) to words of Grandmougin after Bjørnson, is performed for the first time, in Monte Carlo.
April 6, 1896:
Ghiselle, a drame lyrique by César Franck (†5) to words of Thierry, is performed for the first time, in Monte Carlo.
February 14, 1915:
Paris, a patriotic ode for tenor and orchestra by César Franck (†24) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
May 22, 1985:
Stradella, an opera by César Franck (†94) to words of Deschamps, is performed for the first time, accompanied by two pianos, at the Opéra-Comique, Paris 144 years after it was composed. Two scenes were performed in 1843.