César Franck Popular Songs Ranking [2026]

Symphonic Poem “Psyche”César Franck43rank/position

AGSO (Ankara Gençlik Senfoni Orkestrası) C. Franck Psyche

A symphonic poem based on ancient Greek mythology.

Premiered in Paris in March 1888, this work is known as one of Franck’s late masterpieces.

It portrays the love story of Psyche and Eros with lavish orchestration and chorus.

The music unfolds with the narrative: a dreamlike Part I, a sensual Part II, and a Part III that expresses torment and redemption.

Hallmarks of Franck’s style—such as chromatic harmonic progressions and cyclic form—appear throughout.

A highly recommended piece for anyone wishing to experience a mystical and exalted world of love.

Symphonic Poem “The Cursed Hunter”César Franck44rank/position

Franck: Le Chasseur Maudit

Completed in 1882, this symphonic poem is distinguished by its richly narrative musical expression.

Based on a tale by a German poet, it presents a dramatic story in which a count who goes hunting on Sunday incurs God’s wrath and is pursued by the devil.

Lasting about 15 minutes and divided into four sections, the music evolves with the storyline—from a peaceful morning landscape to the hunt, divine anger, and finally the devil’s chase.

The prominent use of horns and brass is striking, and the work also incorporates church bells and a hymn-like theme.

If you’re interested in programmatic music, be sure to give it a listen.

Symphonic Poem ‘The Accursed Huntsman’ CFF 128, FWV 44César Franck45rank/position

Franck: Symphonic Poem “The Accursed Huntsman” (composer’s own arrangement for piano four hands) pf. (primo) Kita, Kosuke pf. (secondo) Sugawara, Nozomu

César Franck, a Belgian composer and a pioneer of modern music.

Among his representative works, including those for piano, the symphonic poem The Accursed Huntsman is a particularly striking piece with strong dramatic elements.

It vividly depicts, through richly colored music, the story of a count who ignores the pealing of prayer bells and sacred chants to go hunting, and is cursed to be pursued by the devil for eternity.

With orchestration brimming with tension that draws listeners into its narrative world, the piece is also well known in the piano arrangement made by the composer himself.

Symphonic Poem “Kishin” CFF.136 FWV 45César Franck46rank/position

Franck: Symphonic Poem “Demon God” (composer’s own arrangement for two pianos), CFF 136; FWV 45 — pf. Kosuke Kita

César Franck, an outstanding composer born in Belgium and hailed as the “father of French modern music,” was a master of the Romantic era.

Displaying musical talent from an early age and studying at the Paris Conservatoire, he devoted himself to work as an organist and teacher while also leaving remarkable achievements as a composer.

His 1882 symphonic poem Le Chasseur maudit (The Accursed Huntsman), inspired by a work by the German poet Gottfried August Bürger, is an ambitious depiction of a Sunday hunt.

It vividly portrays a count who dares to hunt on a holy day and is condemned to be pursued by the devil for eternity.

Its rich sonorities and dramatic development are sure to move listeners deeply.

If you’re looking for a masterpiece of Romantic music, be sure to check out this piece!

Prelude, Aria and Finale in E major, FWV 23 (M. 23)César Franck47rank/position

César Franck – Prélude, Aria et Final

César Franck, a Belgian-born composer known as the “father of French modern music.” The influence he exerted on the French musical world as a pianist, organist, and composer is immeasurable.

Composed between 1886 and 1887 toward the end of his life, the Prélude, Aria et Final in E major, FWV 23 (M.23) stands at the pinnacle of Franck’s piano works.

The three movements are unified masterfully by their thematic material while each reveals a distinct character: a prelude marked by powerful chords and striking melodies; an aria of choral-like beauty; and a final movement whose chromatic progressions evoke profound emotional expression.

A masterpiece recommended for advanced players, requiring both high-level technique and rich musical sensitivity.

Prelude, Chorale and FugueCésar Franck48rank/position

C. Franck: Prelude, Choral and Fugue – Éva Szalai, piano

Completed in 1884, this solo piano work is notable for its structure of three sections performed without interruption.

The prelude evokes a dreamlike, introspective atmosphere; the chorale presents a gentle melody repeated in multiple keys; and the fugue begins with a chromatically descending subject and proceeds with free variations.

A masterful fusion of religious inwardness and the passion of Romantic music, the piece gained wider recognition through its use in Luchino Visconti’s film “Sandra” (Vaghe stelle dell’Orsa).

Its profound content and ingenious design have ensured its enduring popularity among many pianists and audiences.

Prelude, Chorale and Fugue, M.21César Franck49rank/position

2020 PTNA Special Grade, Second Round – Franck: Prélude, Choral et Fugue, M.21 – pf. Miki Yamagata

César Franck, lauded as the “father of French modern music,” displayed his talents for piano and organ from a young age and was active as a church organist and a professor at the Paris Conservatory.

His representative piano work, Prélude, Choral et Fugue, is known for its grand architecture employing cyclic form and its dense musicality that reflects the influence of Bach and Liszt.

This gem of a masterpiece brilliantly fuses spirituality with classical formal beauty and can be regarded as an innovative work that opened new possibilities for piano music.

Although it is a technically demanding piece requiring advanced performance skills and deep musical understanding, it is a work that those interested in passionate Romantic music and modern French music should definitely attempt.