Gabriel Pierné - Chamber Music Vol. 1 (Various Artists)

Information

Composer: Gabriel Pierné

CD1:

• Fantaisie-Impromptu for violin & piano, Op. 4
• Sonata for violin & piano, Op. 36
• Sérénade for violin & piano, Op. 7
• Berceuse for violin & piano, Op. 8
• Andante for violin & piano
• Quintet for piano & string quartet, Op. 41

CD2:

• Pastorale for wind quintet (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon & horn)
• Canzonetta for clarinet & piano, Op. 19
• Sonata da camera for flute, cello & piano, Op. 48
• Prélude de concert for bassoon & piano, Op. 53
• Prelude & fughetta for winds (2 flutes, oboe, clarinet, 2 bassoons & horn), Op. 40 No. 1
• Pièce for oboe & piano, Op. 5
• Pastorale variée for winds (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn & trumpet), Op. 30
• Solo de concert for bassoon & piano, Op. 35
• La danseuse espagnole for violin & piano
• Giration, ballet for piano & 10 instruments (2 violins, viola, cello, double bass, flute, clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, trombone)
• Nuit divine for violin, harmonium and narrator

Philippe Koch, violin

Christian Ivaldi, piano

Soloists of the Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg

Date: 2006

Label: Timpani

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Review

From novelties to real quality, Pierné's pieces make diverting listening

Gabriel Pierné will be an unfamiliar name to most readers, although those remembering the 78rpm era may recall his once-famous novelty item, the Parade of the Little Lead Soldiers. He made his reputation with pieces of this kind and the scherzo-like Fantasie-Impromptu, the Sérénade and especially the winsome Berceuse show the simple charm of his writing in the 1880s. But with the arrival of the Violin Sonata in 1900 he began to produce music of real quality. It is a work of flowing lyrical feeling: the nostalgic melodic inspiration of the first movement is endearing and the dreamy, folksy Andante tranquillo is hardly less captivating. The finale brings back both main themes from the first movement and the cyclic and chromatic influences of Pierné's mentor, César Franck, are clear. But the work stands out impressively on its own terms, especially when played with such warmth and conviction as it is by Philippe Koch and Christian Ivaldi, and vividly recorded.

The Piano Quintet (1916_17) is also strongly influenced by the comparable Franck work. Its first movement opens and closes with a magnetic molto tranquillo but has a passionate core. The central movement is rather extended but leads naturally into the finale, which tends to falter in the long, repetitive development and recapitulation - not the fault of the performers, who play throughout with great conviction. But the fecundity of ideas means that this is still an enjoyable work.

However, with the wind music on the second disc, the ear is endlessly diverted. The pieces for oboe and bassoon (with piano) are delightful, as is the Pastoral variée for wind septet (including trumpet), while the whimsical writing in the Giration ballet (1933) is delectably inventive, lightweight but charmingly scored. These works are all played with winning elegance and are beautifully recorded. At times one is reminded of the music of Françaix. The last, rather sentimental item, Nuit divine, includes the recitation of a poem by d'Albert Samain for which no translation is provided. Otherwise presentation and documentation are impeccable.

-- Ivan March, Gramophone

More reviews:
https://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2007/feb07/Pierne_2c1110.htm

https://www.allmusic.com/album/gabriel-piern%C3%A9-la-musique-de-chambre-vol-1-mw0001402039

https://www.amazon.com/Musique-Chambre-1-G-PIERNE/dp/B000IJ6VME

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Gabriel Pierné (16 August 1863 – 17 July 1937) was a French composer, conductor, pianist and organist. He studied at the Paris Conservatoire; his teachers included Antoine François Marmontel, Albert Lavignac, Émile Durand, César Franck and Jules Massenet. He succeeded Franck as organist at Sainte-Clotilde Basilica in Paris from 1890 to 1898. Pierné wrote several operas, choral and symphonic pieces as well as a good deal of chamber music. He also made a few electrical recordings for Odeon Records, from 1928 to 1934. Pierné was also known for his discovery and promotion of the work of Ernest Fanelli.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabriel_Pierné

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