November 17: Concert celebrating 200th anniversary of César Franck’s birth

Organist David Enlow performs all-Franck recital at Manhattan's Church of Ascension

 

"strong and compelling" — The American Organist

 

In honor of the 200th anniversary of César Franck’s birth, the organist David Enlow presents an all-Franck recital. The performance is on November 17, 2022, 7:00 pm at The Church of the Ascension (5th Avenue at 10th Street in Manhattan).

 

Organist David Enlow is uniquely poised for such a commemoration. His recording of Franck's complete organ works (Pro Organo, 2012) received critical acclaim, with l'Orgue praising his “perfect technique, inventive, flexible, vigorous musicality.” 

 

César Franck (born December 10, 1822, Liège; died November 8, 1890, Paris)

 

The Church of the Ascension is an especially appropriate venue for this recital, as it is home to the only French-built organ in New York City, the Manton Memorial Organ built by Pascal Quorin in St-Didier, France. With over 6000 pipes, it is the largest French organ built anywhere in the past half century. The church’s history goes almost as far back as Franck himself – it was first organized in 1827, and has been in its current building since 1841.

 

 

 

David Enlow on Franck

"Franck is called the ‘Father of the Symphonic School’ but in many ways that is organ world jargon – Franck was a great Romantic, a spiritual and introspective composer with great personal burdens who created beautiful soundscapes on a colossal scale. .. Franck should really be considered a singular figure in organ music, and if organists will treat his music as Romantic music, in the way pianists approach the accompaniment to the violin sonata, all will become clear."

 

Highlights of the November 17 recital include: 

Choral in A minor: Franck's final work, written while convalescing after a traffic accident in Paris

The cinematic Pièce Héroïque, written for the dedication of the organ at Paris' Palais du Trocadéro. "This piece could easily be the soundtrack to a feature film about love in wartime," says David Enlow

 

Final: A carnival-like work written for the composer's populist friend Louis Lefébure-Wély

Organist David Enlow, hailed for his “dazzling technique” (Boston Classical Review) and “performances full of color, passion, invention, and power” (American Record Guide), is Music Director of Park Avenue Synagogue and Church of the Resurrection, and organist of the Clarion Music Society. He is first prize winner of the Albert Schweitzer Organ Festival and the Arthur Poister Competition, and studied with Paul Jacobs, John Weaver, and John Tuttle.

 

Tickets for the November 17 recital at The Church of the Ascension (W 10th St and 5th Ave, New York, NY) are $20 at

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/franck-at-200-david-enlow-organ-tickets-426093606447

 

David Enlow was recently the featured guest on the SiriusXM show "Sounds from the Spire." In the interview, the organist talks about the recital, his career, and so much more with host Dr. Jennifer Pascual. 

 

 Organist David Enlow

César Franck 200th Birthday Concert

November 17, 2022 at 7:0 pm

The Church of the Ascension (West 10th St, 5th Ave.), New York, NY

Tickets: $20 general admission available at

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/franck-at-200-david-enlow-organ-tickets-426093606447

 

PROGRAM

All works by Cesar Franck, performed on the Manton Memorial Organ built by Pascal Quorin (St-Didier, France)

Pièce Héroïque (from Trois Pièces)

Grande Pièce Symphonique

Prière

Final (from Six Pièces)

Cantabile (from Trois Pièces)

Choral en la-mineur / Choral in A Minor