In The Dusk Of The Organ Loft

Radio Record, 13 May 1938, Page 19

In The Dusk Of The Organ Loft

MUSICIAN WHO.GAVE UP THE WORLD TO: FIND’ HIMSELF | 7

PE history of. music," says Harvey Grace, "is largely the story of conflict between the genius . and the parent." The parent is usually father, of course, and he says: "Be a lawyer, or a doctor, or a schoolmaster," as the case may be, anything but a musician-and the genius goes his own way. Yet in this matter Cesar Franck’s experience was unusual. His father was a banker, and ought to have said "Be a banker!" But he was also interested in art, so the banker and the dilettante made a duet of it, and ba'de. the boy become a piano. virtuoso. There’ was money in that. That’s how Franck was set to. piano-playing, and did so well that he made his. first tour when barely eleyen. , For the next. ten years: the virtuoso plan was putsued, young... Cesar being compelled also‘to compose showy pieces for. his’ own. coneert use. Then both taste ‘and temperament rebelled, and the projected "star" became a ehurch organist,. drudging piano teacher, and composer of serious, unlucrative music. And the : ‘longer he lived the. more, he drudged and withdrew into the organ loft. To all "too old.at forty" go-getters Cesar Frahck should be an object lesson. With scarcely an exception, all the music on which his fame rests was written after his fiftieth. year. . He never really found himself as a composer till he lost himself in the dusk of’ the organ loft. The plodding drudge was. unexpectedly adventurous, too. He. flew in the faces of his family hy marrying an actress. To make ends meet Cesar. Franck had to start off on his teaching rounds by 7.80 in the morning-his work took him well into the evening hours. So that to get time to compose he rose winter and summer at 5.30. The result of this unselfish industry is a handful

. of. superb works. that have become classics, In his sixty-third year (the year he Wag awarded the ribbon of a Chevalier

of the Legion of Honour for his organ work) he gave to the world his glorious Symphonie Variations for piano and orchestra. . a The Symphonic Variations -do not form a series of different presentations of a tune, as we expect of variations. They are.-rather-like a long, -smoothflowing improvisation, They begin with a full-sized intreduction, in which hints of. the coming tune can be heard. The theme. itself when it comes is simple and expressive, and then the variations follow..on it without breaks,. and. very. naturally. ._ This popular work will be played by Walter Gieseking, pianist, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra,. under Sir Henry Wood; at 2XYA-on-Tues-day, May .17. ~ me a = =)