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In the dazzling brilliance of the world-famous works of the great masters, one can easily forget at what a high level music was also composed just below this highest level during the 19th century. Among those composers who were celebrated during their lifetimes and today, rediscovered in critical reflection of those times, have the chance of being appreciated according to their achievements outside of the handed-down ìcanon,î Eduard Franck, friend and pupil of Felix Mendelssohn, occupies an important position, as does his son, Richard. In the music of Richard Franck, contemporary critics recognized its fine sonic appeal, refined melodies, and frequently deep content. Richard Franck was the first of his fatherís three children. His mother was a pianist and a friend of Felix Mendelssohnís sister Fanny. He studied music at the Stern Conservatory in Berlin and then in Leipzig at the Conservatory with Carl Reinecke. He then taught in Berlin, Magdeburg and in Basel where he was a good friend of the composer Hans Huber. In 1900, he took up the position as Royal Prussian Music Director in Kassel. This allowed him to have a rich concert career as a conductor and pianist. He performed his own Piano Concerto, Op. 50 in March, 1910. For health reasons, he moved to Heidelberg in 1910. There he taught at the Conservatory (piano, choral singing and musical aesthetics) and gave piano recitals to small circles of friends. He composed his Piano Trio, Op. 20 in Basel and it was published in 1893. ìAnd the work is indeed no everyday occurrence; rich in melodies and in harmonic effects, it excites great interest from beginning to end.î His Piano Trio, Op. 32 was composed in Berlin and premiered there in January, 1900.
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