Born in Belgium and having worked in France, César Franck, the 19^th century romantic composer and organist, focused on traditional instrumental genres (symphony, symphonic poem, sonata, variations, chamber music) and oratorio. Apart from his work as a composer, Franck is also regarded as a prominent pedagogue of the time, having educated many a famous composer including Vincent d’Indy, Paul Dukas, Louis Vierne and Henri Duparc. To the latter disciple, Duparc, Franck dedicated his only Symphony in D minor. Conducted by Jules Garcin the premiere of the work took place at the Paris Conservatoire on February 17, 1889. In the symphony, which was inspired by the music of Ferenc Liszt and Richard Wagner, the composer masterfully combined French and German musical traditions. The three movements of the work juxtapose two contrasting images – gloomy, rebellious, dramatic and calm, sunny, lyrical. This magnificent work became a musical summary of Franck’s life, and alongside Camille Saint-Saëns’ Organ Symphony, is considered to be one of the most significant examples of French symphonism of the second half of the 19^th century.

Franck’s monumental score is performed by the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by maestro Modestas Pitrėnas.