Norwich bulletin., 1915-11-06
SECOND PROGRAMME BY
 NORWICH MUSIC ASSOCIATION
To Include Wors<s of Cesar Franek,
 Claude Debussy and Emil sjosrsn.


 To Include Wor.<s of Cesar Franel<,
 Claude Debussy and Emil sjosren.
 In their programme for nen Tues day evening. the second of the season orgs rization will be privileged to att tend the music will be from the works of three modern composers-Cesar Franck, Claude Debussy and Emil programme. which is to be rendered entirely by Norwich musicians, to bring before the association some of the great modern works, compositions which have not been heard here be- fore.
 Cesar F'ranck was the founder of the modern French school and his mu- sic vii. be represented by his Violin Sonata, considered by many to be one of the most beautiful sonatas which lave been written. Cesar Franck was born in Liege, Belgium. Dec. 10. 1922. The Francks claim descent from q family of Wal loon painters. SO that the tradition of nrtlstr.- seems to have been handed down in the family. At the age of F the boy had completed his studies at the music school in Liege. and the fol- lowing year was entered as pupil at the Paris Conservatoire, taking com position under Leborne and piano with
 
 1s4S in Paris to the young actress, Mile. Desmousseaux, began the me- thodical life of drudgery which Franck supported with unfailing cheerfulness, almost with enthusiasm. as long as he lived. Setting aside two hours of, the early morning for what he called This owr. work"-readfng, study or compo- sition-the rest Of the day was given to teaching or practice. His pupils lived all over Paris From morning till night he went from lesson to les son, SC eager to be at work that he ran rather than walked along the streets.
 h 1858 Franck was appointed or ganist of Sainte Clotilde, and here, in the dust of this organ loft, he spent the best part of his life. Here he came every Sunday and feast day-and tow ard the end of his life every Friday morning. too-fanning the fire of his genius by pouring out his spirit in wonderful improvisations which were often more lofty in thought than many skilfuily elaborated compositions For Cesar Franck had. or rather was, the genius of improvisations, and no other modern organist would bear. the most distant comparison with him in this respect He was appointed professor Of organ at the Conservatoire in 1872.
 Tracks last years were made hap py by the success of his violin sonata, played by Eugene Ysaye all over the world and by the unprecedented ova- ton given him on the performance of his string Quartette at the concert of the Societe Rationale, April 19, 1890. This first taste of popular appreciation came to him late, in his 69th year, but long neglect had not embittered him, and he received the plaudits with pleased surprise. saying to the group of friends about him: There, you see, the public is beginning to understand me"
 Three songs of Debussy will be on the programme-Evening Romance, and The Mandolin.
 Claude Debussy, the foremost French composer of the day, did not as child show any decided musical apti- tude. Happening one day to be at the home of his aunt in Cannes. she con- ccived the idea that it would be well for him to study the piano. Nothing remarkable came of these fugitive les sons, which were abandoned when the fckild returned to his home. Later the mother of Charles de Svry, who had herself studied with Chopin, discover ed the boys unusual talent, and through her instruction and influence he. entered the Paris Conservatory in 1873.
 When in his 22d year he won the Prix de Rome it was the unanimous opinion of the jury that the score was the most interesting that. had been heard at the institute for many years.
 He has written. many songs-emo- tona, impressions. pictures of delicate and evasfve moods. containing much that is of typical beauty in thought and utterance. and for which the verses of such poets as Verlaine and Pierre Louys have served to stimu- late the composers fancy. Although we may appraise it's value or marvel at its methods. the inner beauty of De- bussy$s music cannot in the last ana lysis. be argued about; it must remain, for those to whose imagination it ap- peals, a potent magic, an accent of rare and insinuating charm.
 Among the foremost of modern Swedish composers, and one whose work is little known in this country, is Emil Sjogren at present living in Stockholm. The composition of his which has been chosen for this pro gramme is his Violin Sonata, a work in the usual sonata form, but having Ia distinct. individuality, the second movement being particularly beauti- full.
 Sjcsren (pronounced Shay-gren) was bern at Stockholm, Sweden, June 6, 1853. Many critics class him as the modern times. He has employed folk material in his works. but they are not SO representative as are the works Of Grieg. His early studies were con- ducted at the Conservatoire at Stock holm, but his principal work was done at Berlin When he was 30 he made an extensive tour of Europe visiting Paris Munich. Venice and Vienna. Since 1891. however. he has confined his activities to Stockholm, where he is orgsnist of the Yohannes-kyrka. He is not famed for compositions in larger forms, but rather for pieces of high artistic finish and exquisite con- |