César Franck, a Belgian 19th-century Romanticist composer and organist who worked in France, concentrated on traditional instrumental genres (symphony, symphonic poem, sonata, variations, chamber music) and oratorio. Among his best-known major works are the Symphony in D minor, Symphonic Variations for piano and orchestra, and symphonic poems. However, it is Franck’s chamber music that is most often heard in concert halls, and his Piano quintet in F minor, Op. 14 is one of the most popular works of this genre in the history of music. It was premiered in Paris on 17 January 1880, with the piano part played by the pianist and composer Camille Saint-Saëns, to whom this chamber opus was dedicated. However, Saint-Saëns was not impressed with the composition that is highly treasured today; after the last chord, the dedicatee left the stage, leaving the score behind. The Piano quintet in F minor is the composer’s late opus, reflecting the philosophical and emotional power of Franck’s work, combined with the subtle sophistication of French music.

One of Franck’s most beautiful works is performed by the renowned Latvian pianist and winner of international competitions Georgijs Osokins and the Čiurlionis Quartet.