description Rédemption (Franck) Overview
Rédemption is a large-scale choral and orchestral work by César Franck, composed in the early 1870s. Its title means “Redemption,” and the music treats Christian themes through orchestral sections, vocal solo writing, and choral passages. The work reflects Franck’s interest in sacred subjects and in combining symphonic development with the traditions of the French oratorio and church-music repertory.
help Rédemption (Franck) FAQ
How is Rédemption by César Franck different from Gounod's La Rédemption?
Franck's Rédemption is a separate work by César Franck, often described as a poème-symphonie as well as an oratorio. It is more compactly organized around orchestral and choral sections, while Gounod's work is a three-part sacred trilogy.
When was Franck's Rédemption first performed?
The first version was performed in Paris on April 10, 1873, and a revised version followed in 1875. The composition belongs to Franck's early 1870s period and predates his best-known late orchestral works. [BnF catalogue](https://catalogue.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb16713536h)
What forces does Rédemption use?
The work uses a narrator, female chorus, mixed chorus, and orchestra, with vocal solo writing also associated with the score. Its unusual combination of spoken, choral, and orchestral passages is part of why it is described as a poème-symphonie.
Who wrote the text for Franck's Rédemption?
The text was written by Édouard Blau and treats Christian ideas of redemption. Franck's music responds with a large Romantic orchestral and choral design rather than a conventional opera plot.
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