Notes and Editorial Reviews
These entrancing discs are packed with treasures written by a talented late-Romantic composer with the passion and tragic sensibility of a Rachmaninov.
Why has a talented late-Romantic composer, with the passion and tragic sensibility of a Rachmaninov, come to be remembered almost exclusively for his weekend job at the organ of Notre-Dame? The fifth release in the Timpani label’s marvellous survey of Vierne’s music, these two entrancing discs are packed with treasures. The intense ardour of the sonatas for violin and cello, written for Ysaÿe and Casals respectively, should win many converts to Vierne’s cause. If the style here hovers between Franck, Elgar and Rachmaninov, there are signs of Debussy’s influence in
Read more
the much later cello collection Soirs étrangers.
The youthful string quartet is remarkable in the composer’s output for its easy-going nature; a charming work, but not matching the profundity of later offerings, even with the impressive advocacy of the Quatuor Phillips. The minor works are little gems as well, especially the two viola pieces, but it is the Piano Quintet that makes this set indispensable. Written after the death of Vierne’s son, the raw emotions attest to the composer’s desire to ‘bury him in a roar of thunder and not in the plaintive bleating of a resigned, complacent sheep’. Emotion and technique combine to stunning effect, especially when allied, as in the other works, to first-rate performances and sound. Strongly recommended.
Performance: 5 (out of 5), Sound: 5 (out of 5)
-- Christopher Dingle, BBC Music Magazine
Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
Sonata for Violin and Piano, Op. 23 by Louis Vierne
Performer:
Alexis Galpérine (Violin),
François Kerdoncuff (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1910; France
2.
Sonata for Cello and Piano in B minor, Op. 27 by Louis Vierne
Performer:
Yvan Chiffoleau (Cello),
Olivier Gardon (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1911; France
3.
Soirs étrangers, Op. 56 by Louis Vierne
Performer:
Olivier Gardon (Piano),
Yvan Chiffoleau (Cello)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1928; France
4.
Quintet for Piano and Strings in C minor, Op. 42 by Louis Vierne
Performer:
François Kerdoncuff (Piano)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Phillips String Quartet
Period: Romantic
Written: 1917; Switzerland
5.
Rhapsody for Harp by Louis Vierne
Performer:
Pascale Zanlonghi (Harp)
Period: Romantic
Written: France
6.
Pièces (2) for Viola and Piano by Louis Vierne
Performer:
Odile Carracilly (Viola),
François Kerdoncuff (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: France
7.
Largo and Canzonetta for Oboe and Piano by Louis Vierne
Performer:
Olivier Gardon (Piano),
Christian Moreaux (Oboe)
Period: Romantic
Written: France
8.
Suite for Viola and Piano by Louis Vierne
Performer:
Odile Carracilly (Viola),
Olivier Gardon (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: France
9.
Quartet for Strings, Op. 12 by Louis Vierne
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Phillips String Quartet
Period: Romantic
Written: France
Sound Samples
Violin Sonata, Op. 23: I. Allegro
Violin Sonata, Op. 23: II. Andante
Violin Sonata, Op. 23: III. Intermezzo: Quasi vivace
Violin Sonata, Op. 23: IV. Largamente: Allegro agitato
Piano Quintet, Op. 42: I. Poco lento: Moderato
Piano Quintet, Op. 42: II. Larghetto sostenuto
Piano Quintet, Op. 42: III. Maestoso: Allegro risoluto
2 Pieces, Op. 5: No. 1. Le Soir
2 Pieces, Op. 5: No. 2. Legende
Cello Sonata in B flat minor, Op. 27: I. Poco lento - Allegro moderato
Cello Sonata in B flat minor, Op. 27: II. Molto largamente
Cello Sonata in B flat minor, Op. 27: III. Risoluto - Allegro molto
Largo et canzonetta, Op. 6: Largo
Largo et canzonetta, Op. 6: Canzonetta
Soirs etrangers, Op. 56: I. Grenade
Soirs etrangers, Op. 56: II. Sur le Leman
Soirs etrangers, Op. 56: III. Venise
Soirs etrangers, Op. 56: IV. Steppe canadien
Soirs etrangers, Op. 56: V. Poisson chinois
String Quartet, Op. 12: I. Lento: Allegro agitato
String Quartet, Op. 12: II. Intermezzo: Leggiero non troppo vivo
String Quartet, Op. 12: III. Andante quasi adagio
String Quartet, Op. 12: IV. Allegro vivace
Customer Reviews
Be the first to review this title
Review This Title
