Franckathon in Princeton this weekend!

2022 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of composer César Franck (on December 10, 2022). To celebrate Belgium’s bewhiskered wonder, Scott Dettra will perform all Franck’s major organ works in a two-part recital at Princeton University Chapel, tomorrow (Saturday) at 3:30 pm and 8 pm. The event is free and open to the public.

Decades ago, I attended a Franckathon in Philadelphia. On that occasion, the complete organ works were presented in a single session with two intermissions, as the audience anesthetized itself with free coffee and doughnuts.

No coffee or doughnuts advertised for tomorrow’s concert, but with a three-hour break between sittings, you should be able to nose around Princeton for some sustenance (and some NoDoz).

I never could say no to a good marathon, especially one that tests my endurance so assuredly as does the organ music of César Franck.

But if you’re going to do it, this is the setting, the instrument, the performer, and the occasion with which and on which to do so.

‘Tis the season to seize on Franck!