César-Auguste-Jean-Guillaume-Hubert Franck (1822 –
1890) was a French Romantic composer, pianist,
organist, and music teacher born in present-day
Belgium. He was born in Liège (which at the time of
his birth was part of the United Kingdom of the
Netherlands). He gave his first concerts there in 1834
and studied privately in Paris from 1835, where his
teachers included Anton Reicha. After a brief return to
Belgium, and a disastrous reception of an early
oratorio Ruth, he moved to Paris, where...(+)
César-Auguste-Jean-Guillaume-Hubert Franck (1822 –
1890) was a French Romantic composer, pianist,
organist, and music teacher born in present-day
Belgium. He was born in Liège (which at the time of
his birth was part of the United Kingdom of the
Netherlands). He gave his first concerts there in 1834
and studied privately in Paris from 1835, where his
teachers included Anton Reicha. After a brief return to
Belgium, and a disastrous reception of an early
oratorio Ruth, he moved to Paris, where he married and
embarked on a career as teacher and organist. He gained
a reputation as a formidable musical improviser, and
travelled widely within France to demonstrate new
instruments built by Aristide Cavaillé-Coll.
In 1858, he became organist at the Basilica of St.
Clotilde, Paris, a position he retained for the rest of
his life. He became professor at the Paris
Conservatoire in 1872; he took French nationality, a
requirement of the appointment. After acquiring the
professorship, Franck wrote several pieces that have
entered the standard classical repertoire, including
symphonic, chamber, and keyboard works for pipe organ
and piano. As a teacher and composer he had a vast
following of composers and other musicians. His pupils
included Ernest Chausson, Vincent d'Indy, Henri Duparc,
Guillaume Lekeu, Albert Renaud, Charles Tournemire and
Louis Vierne.
The Hand of God, or Manus Dei in Latin, also known as
Dextera domini/dei (the "right hand of God"), is a
motif in Jewish and Christian art, especially of the
Late Antique and Early Medieval periods, when depiction
of Yahweh or God the Father as a full human figure was
considered unacceptable. The hand, sometimes including
a portion of an arm, or ending about the wrist, is used
to indicate the intervention in or approval of affairs
on Earth by God, and sometimes as a subject in itself.
It is an artistic metaphor that is generally not
intended to indicate that a hand was physically present
or seen at any subject depicted. In music, "Dextera
Domini" shows how the Power of God is stronger than
that of the Devil, and how Our Lord delivers us from
evil and death. The chant also seems to be a prayer
from Our Lord Jesus Christ directed to God the Father,
showing how God the Father exalts Him Who is at His
Right Hand. Though Our Lord – fully human and fully
God – will die on the Cross, He will overcome death
on the Third Day as He promised.
Source: Wikipedia
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%A9sar_Franck).
Although originally composed for Voices (STB) and
Orchestra (or Organ & double bass), I created this
Interpretation of "Dextera Domini" (FWV 65) for Winds,
Strings (2 Violins, Viola & Cello) & Pipe Organ (2
Manuals w/Pedals).
SHEET MUSIC