Gabriel Pierné was a very good composer, but this disc illustrates why he may not receive the attention he deserves on the concert platform. As you might expect, Impressions de music-hall is charming, humorous, and even sassy. Fantasie basque, for violin and orchestra, follows the pattern of Saint-Saëns’ Spanish-tinged works for violin and orchestra, and it’s well played by soloist Philippe Koch. Izéÿl is a suite of incidental music full of Orientalism embodied in exotic scales and prominent passages for harp and celesta. Divertissements sur un thème pastoral is absolutely delicious, a fabulously inventive theme and variations. It was recorded by Martinon for Erato.
So what’s the problem? Well, there isn’t one really, save that Pierné’s very flexibility results in what you might call a “generic French” quality to his music. He didn’t have Ravel’s individuality of style, for example, but then Pierné’s range of reference is, in my view, a bit wider. Even if you can’t pick out a particular moment and say, “Aha! That couldn’t be anyone else,” the fact is that this is all very well-written music, a joy from first note to last. Bramwell Tovey and the Luxembourg orchestra turn out to be reliable guides to Pierné’s multifaceted musical personality, offering performances full of color and, where necessary, panache. They are also beautifully recorded, making this an important addition to the discography of an underappreciated composer.
