Pierné, Gabriel 1863 - 1937
Author: Yasukawa, Tomoko
Last updated：September 1, 2006
Author: Yasukawa, Tomoko
French composer, organist, and conductor. Born in Metz (German reading: Metze) in the Lorraine region, he moved with his family to Paris when the region was annexed by Germany during the Franco-Prussian War in 1870.
At the Paris Conservatoire, he studied composition with Massenet and organ with Franck, absorbing the essence of French music from both teachers, both in terms of technique and aesthetic taste. In composition, he won the Prix de Rome in 1882 with the cantata Edith. From 1890 to 1998, he served as organist at Sainte-Clotilde Church, succeeding Franck.
However, during his lifetime, Pierné was primarily renowned as a conductor, and his role as a conductor was also significant in terms of his influence on later generations. Becoming assistant conductor of the Concerts Colonne in 1903 and serving as its principal conductor from 1910 to 1934, Pierné actively performed and introduced contemporary French music, including works by his teacher Franck. Particularly noteworthy are the numerous premieres he conducted, which include Debussy's Ibéria, Images, Jeux, Chansons de Bilitis, and Khamma; Ravel's Une barque sur l'océan and Tzigane; Roussel's Pour une fête de printemps; and even the Paris premiere of Stravinsky's The Firebird (1910).
The classical and solid compositional techniques inherited from Massenet and Franck, combined with the cutting-edge Parisian orchestration learned from his conducting activities, culminated in Pierné's own works, making him a prime example of a composer who deserves greater recognition and performance in the future. His piano works are predominantly found in the early period of his compositional career (1880-1936).
Works(37)
Concerto (2)
concerto (1)
Works with orchestral accompaniment (3)
Piano Solo (13)
pieces (4)
variation (2)
serenade (3)
Various works (6)
Piano Ensemble (4)
Reduction/Arrangement (1)
Chamber Music (2)
Various works (3)