By RmichieNZ
30-Aug-2009

Attractive rarities  

Gabriel Pierne has been on the periphery of CD catalogues for many years. Timpani have sought to rectify this with no less than six releases of his music, nicely performed and recorded.

Impressions de Music Hall (1925) is lively and good humoured, reflecting the influence of early jazz. Fantaisie Basque for violin and orchestra (1927) is most attractive and is a testament to Pierne's interest in music of the Basque region.

Izéÿl (1894) is a suite of theatrical incidental music. The final movement (Serenade) is a gem and has also been recorded in a piano arrangement (http://www.classicsonline.com/catalogue/product.aspx?pid=893).

Divertissements sur un thème pastoral (1931) was subsequently incorporated into the Ballet, Images in 1935. It is not strict in the application of variation form and even includes a cakewalk.

Pierne's most impressive work is arguably the Ballet, Cydalise et le chevre-pied (http://www.classicsonline.com/catalogue/product.aspx?pid=861581). That would be a primary recommendation for anyone new to his music, but this recording has much to admire as well.
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