CV10.380/03
Franck applied himself more than once to the task of writing music inspired by the Sermon on the Mount, because he regarded it as the quintessence of his ethical and religious ideals. The immediate impulse for the composition of the oratorio came from the libretto by Joséph Colomb, who was an adherent of the "Heart of Jesus" movement, which was widespread in France in the latter part of the 19th century. The first performance occurred on the 20th February 1879 with a small ensemble under the circumstances of unfavorable conditions.