An organist at churches in Paris, César Franck was motivated to compose music based on biblical texts. His Symphony in D minor, that he composed in the late 19th century was radical in France — so much so, that composer Charles Gounod said it was "the affirmation of impotence pushed to the length of a dogma". Rarely performed at orchestras today, it makes its way into the city this weekend, along with Saint-Saëns' Le Rouet d'Omphale and Piano Concerto No 5 in F major. The performance features noted pianist Jean-Philippe Collard with the Symphony Orchestra of India and conductor Laurent Petitgirard, who's in the country on his first visit.

Edited excerpts from an interview with Petitgirard.