Richard Franck (1858-1938) was the son of the composer, concert pianist, and teacher Eduard Franck (whose music we also publish). Born in Cologne, where his father was then teaching, Richard showed an early talent for the piano. When it became clear he was going to pursue a career in music, Eduard, who had studied with Mendelssohn, saw to it that he received the best training available. Richard was sent to the prestigious Leipzig Conservatory to study with Carl Reinecke and Salomon Jadassohn, both of whom were among the leading composers and teachers of their day. After finishing his studies, Richard enjoyed a long career as a teacher, composer, and pianist, during the course of which he held several positions in Germany and Switzerland.
Although he was a fine performer, a respected teacher, and a composer, he never achieved real prominence. It was simply a fact of life that befalls many fine musicians, and not really a reflection on him as either a teacher, performer, or composer. Those critics, who were familiar with his compositions, regularly lavished praise upon them.
Franck's First Violin Sonata was composed in 1890. The opening movement, Allegro, begins with the violin giving out the first half of the genial theme in an introductory call to order. But the music quickly builds in excitement. The lovely second subject is dreamy and gentle. Franck places a scherzo, Allegretto grazioso, next. As the title suggests, the dance-like music is graceful and pleasing. The slow movement, Adagio molto espressivo, has the quality of a lied or an art song. The main theme of the finale, Allegro, has a joyful, winning quality.
This is a valuable addition to the romantic violin sonata literature. Long out of print, our edition is the first in close to a century.
