César Franck Popular Songs Ranking [2026]

Seven Pieces in E major or E minorCésar Franck29rank/position

Sette pezzi in mi maggiore e minore, FWV 41 di C.Frank – Samuele Zamparo

Seven short pieces resound with the organ’s mysterious timbre.

Marked by a serene, meditative tone, they reflect Franck’s profound religious sentiment.

Composed in 1890, the work was intended for church services as well as home performance, enveloped in a sacred atmosphere.

Though brief and concise in form, its beautiful melodies and harmonic progressions deeply move the listener.

With the organ’s rich sonorities bringing out the music’s full allure, this is a recommended piece not only for classical music fans but also for anyone seeking calm and peace.

Violin Sonata in A majorCésar Franck30rank/position

Clara-Jumi Kang: Franck, Violin Sonata in A Major

Completed in 1886, this work is a masterpiece sonata for violin and piano.

It begins with an elegant and serene first movement, proceeds through a passionate second movement and a freely structured third movement, and culminates in a brilliant finale.

Notably, it employs cyclic form, with the same motif recurring throughout all movements.

Another attraction is the equal partnership between piano and violin, giving the duo exceptional completeness.

Blending intellectual poise with inner passion, it has long been cherished by many performers.

It’s a highly recommended piece for chamber music enthusiasts.

From Violin Sonata, Movement ICésar Franck31rank/position

Frank: Violin Sonata in A major, Movement I

From Violin Sonata in A major, First Movement: Allegretto ben moderato.

This work is considered the greatest masterpiece among French-style violin sonatas.

The violin is performed by Shuji Fujiki, recorded at his recital in the Arcus SASEBO Medium Hall in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture.

From the Violin Sonata, Movement IICésar Franck32rank/position

Violin Sonata, Second Movement — Franck Violin Sonata, 2nd Mov.

“Violin Sonata in A major, Second Movement” Allegro.

This work was dedicated as a wedding gift to violinist Eugène Ysaÿe, a junior colleague of Franck.

Violin performed by Keiko Tokunaga, piano by Sachiko Suga.

From a recital in Manhattan.

From the Violin Sonata, Movement IIICésar Franck33rank/position

C. Franck Sonata for violin and piano in A major – Recitativo – Fantasia ben moderato

From Violin Sonata in A major, 3rd movement: Recitativo – Fantasia: ben moderato (Recitative – Fantasy: sufficiently, at a moderate tempo).

Performed by the Bulgarian violinist Micho Dimitrov, with Violeta Popova on piano.

Symphony in D minorCésar Franck34rank/position

Franck: Sinfonie d-Moll ∙ hr-Sinfonieorchester ∙ Marc Minkowski

This work, known as a quintessential French symphony, consists of three movements and employs a cyclical form.

The questioning motif introduced by the low strings at the outset recurs throughout the entire piece, lending it a strong sense of unity.

Particularly notable is the second movement, which uniquely fuses a slow movement with a scherzo and features an evocative English horn melody.

The frequent use of a German-style dark, weighty timbre and organ-like sonorities creates a profound character that reflects the composer’s religious and philosophical inner life.

Although its premiere in February 1889 received mixed reviews, it is now highly regarded as one of the significant symphonies of the late 19th century.

Symphony in D minor, Movement IIICésar Franck35rank/position

Franck: Symphony in D minor, Movement III — Ormandy conducting the Philadelphia Orchestra

Following the release of symphonies by Lalo and Saint-Saëns, Franck, encouraged by his pupils to write a symphony, began composing as well.

By the autumn of 1887 he had completed a draft, and the work was finished in August of the following year.

It is said that Franck himself, unfazed by the poor reception at the premiere, replied contentedly to his family, “It sounded just as I imagined.”