Four hardback volumes:

Volume I: Preface and commentary: 261 pages

Volume II: 1846–1862: 158 pages

Volume III: 1863–1877: 151 pages

Volume IV: 1878–1890: 91 pages

Edited and arranged by Richard Brasier

- Foreword by renowned Franck scholar, Marie-Louise Langlais

- Erudite preface and commentary of 140,000 words, accompanied by 219 examples, full-colour images and facsimiles

- A thorough re-evaluation of the organ works based on every available manuscript

- The first edition since 1880 to make use of the autograph manuscript for Prélude, Fugue et Variation, Op. 18

- The first published analysis of the autograph manuscript for Prélude, Fugue et Variation, Op. 18

- The first publication to treat both versions of the Andantino CFF 54a and CFF 54b as independent works

- The first publication of the original ending of Final, Op. 21

- New versions of Choral II and Choral III, based solely on the autograph manuscripts

- Full colour facsimile of the Pièce Héroïque (Trocadéro manuscript)

The music of César Franck is revered by musicians the world over. For organists, he holds a particularly important place in history as one of the founding fathers of the French Romantic organ tradition, a school of organ composition that would be carried forward into the twentieth century by Charles-Marie Widor, Louis Vierne and others. Franck’s unmistakable style showcases colourful polyphony and subtle mastery of form. In artistic terms, he was the first to see and realise the potential of the symphonic organ in France.

Published during this bicentennial year of his birth, Franck’s journey from unsettled pianist to master craftsman at the organ is presented in a new light. The objective of this chronologically ordered edition spanning the three different periods of his life, combines as many elements as possible from the study of available autograph manuscripts, first editions and letters, in the hope of contributing to a more holistic evaluation, in practical terms, of his output for organ.

Editor Richard Brasier enjoys a busy and far-reaching international career as a soloist, teacher, editor and recording artist. As a concert organist, Richard has performed widely in recital series and major international festivals on historic and modern instruments. He also regularly performs as a soloist with orchestras and instrumental ensembles. Richard has a wide-ranging repertoire covering all periods from the Middle Ages to Contemporary, with particularly firm interests in the music of J. S. and C. P. E. Bach, César Franck and representatives of the German Romantic period.

Richard is active as a teacher for the Royal College of Organists, for which he leads masterclasses and study trips for students at home and abroad. He also regularly teaches on residential courses for organists of all ages and abilities. Elsewhere he has been invited to sit as a competition jury member and external examiner. Richard has published articles and videos on matters relating to the organ on various platforms, and has edited several editions of organ repertoire. Richard is organist of St Mary with St George’s German Lutheran Church in London, where he plays and maintains the historic 1886/1937 instrument by E. F. Walcker. He is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music in London, and the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz, Köln.