Camille Saint-Saëns was not only the dedicatee of the Piano Quintet in F minor by his friend, César Franck; he also played in work’s premiere in 1879. But as he sight-read through the piano part, he became more and more agitated – angry, even. At the conclusion of the piece, he rejected Franck’s attempt to shake his hand, and stormed off without acknowledging the applause.
He wasn’t the only one. Franck’s wife also made no secret of hating it.
Here was music of sublimated desire, and everyone knew the cause. Saint-Saëns knew, because he felt the same way about Franck’s pupil, Augusta Holmès. Franck tutored Holmès in organ and composition. No doubt he admired her musical talent, but equally there was no doubt his interest went beyond that of master-disciple. Don’t let those mutton chops fool you. A man is only flesh and blood. And in Franck’s case, also mutton chops.
There must have been something about Holmès, the French composer of Irish descent, because she had the same effect on just about every man she crossed paths with. Saint-Saëns had proposed marriage to her multiple times, always without success. He would refer to her as a “beautiful pythoness.” Methinks his vines had tender sour grapes.
I know I’ve made no secret of my struggles with the popularity of Franck’s highly-regarded Symphony in D minor. I’ve been very slow to warm to it. It’s taken decades, in fact. I never much liked the insipid theme of the last movement. But I’ve gotten to the point now where at last I’m willing to concede its overall greatest.
Much more congenial to me are his symphonic poems and his lovely chamber music.
No comment on the organ works – although I once attended a “Franckathon” at St. Clement’s Church in Philadelphia, back in the 1990s, at which his complete output for the instrument was presented, with two intermissions. Just to say I did. Well, that and for the free doughnuts and coffee.
Nothing makes Franck more palatable than caffeine and fried dough.
Happy birthday, mon vieux!
Incendiary Piano Quintet in F minor
Symphony in D minor
“Le Chasseur maudit” (“The Accursed Huntsman”)
Violin Sonata in A major
“Grande pièce symphonique,” played by Marcel Dupré
Prelude, Chorale and Fugue
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHftZ2-w4XE
And, for the season, “Panis Angelicus”
