Chapter 41

SYMPHONIC

VARIATIONS FOR

PIANOFORTE AND

ORCHESTRA

This is one of Franck’s most significant works, containing all
his individual characteristics: melodic intensity, novel chromatic
harmony and freedom of form combined with coherence. Franck
always claimed that the variation form, rightly treated, was
a perfect medium for free, imaginative expression; surely this
work is a manifestation of his belief. A careful study will jus-
tify the statement that his style is founded on that of Bach and
Beethoven; for the naturalness of these melodic variations can
be compared only with thePassacaglia in C minor, and the gen-
eral structure of the work finds its prototype in the Finale of the
Heroic Symphony. It is a set of free variations, or rather organic
transformations of two themes; the first sombre, entirely in the
minor, the second brighter, with some passing emphasis on the
major. The variations are not numbered and there are no rigid
stops; though, of course, when objective points are reached,
there is natural punctuation. The two themes, as follows—a
striking example of Franck’s peculiar harmonic scheme—should
be carefully studied,e.g.