GABRIEL PIERNE
The Complete Works for Piano and Orchestra
(Hyperion)
Reviewed by Erick Mertz

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Everything about Gabriel Pierne's (1863-1937) recordings on Hyperion are exciting, from their grandiose energy to the dazzling renditions by renowned British pianist Stephen Coombs to the relative anonymity which the composer presently receives in canon. On "Complete Works for Piano and Orchestra" the orchestra led by Bernard Docherty is full of evocative aural theater. In the Final section of Piano Concerto in C minor Op 12, staggering illusions of flight and plummet seem inevitable with a climax lacking resolve. If there be any quibble with this album, they come with a recording technique that doesn't go far enough - engineering that holds in and curtails such tremendous peaks and valleys is terribly misplayed.

During Pierne's lifetime he was a monumental success; in legacy, he is more obscure. Although he possesses no real "singular" work or defined signature, the sheer abundance he created was awesome by any standard. Perhaps being merely a talented musician and accepted professionally in one's lifetime isn't the path to legend, but ignoring Gabriel Pierne for a lack of heroism or suffering is foolhardy.

[Pick this up at www.hyperion-records.co.uk.]

© 2004 - Erick Mertz