Michael Jamieson Bristow 
(HENRI CONSTANT) GABRIEL PIERNÉ (1863-1937)
Born: Metz (France), August 16 1863 - Died: Ploujean (France), July 17 1937
(HENRI CONSTANT) GABRIEL PIERNÉ was born in Metz on August 16 1863. Both his parents were professional musicians and it was not surprising that the young Gabriel soon clamoured for admission to the Paris Conservatoire. Once there, he settled down to winning prizes in every subject he studied, setting a pattern that was to continue throughout his life. By the age of eleven he had won the medal for 'solfège'. He studied organ with César Franck (1822-1890) and composition with Jules Massenet (1842-1912) - winning 'premiers prix' in both subjects as well as in counterpoint. His biggest success came in 1882, when he won the Prix de Rome for his cantata Edith. This prize gave Pierné the opportunity to spend four years in Italy, staying at the Villa Medici. Pierné adored Italy and the music he wrote during this period - including the Piano Concerto in C minor, Op.12 (1886-1887) - is marked by a virtuosic exuberance that was to become characteristic of many later works.
Eventually, and reluctantly, Pierné returned home to Paris - the offer of a post as organist at Sainte Sulpice no doubt provided compensation for leaving his beloved Italy. In 1890 Pierné succeeded Franck as the organist at Sainte Clotilde (a post he held until 1898); aged only twenty-seven he was now one of the foremost organists in France.
Few musicians have enjoyed such a glittering career as that of Gabriel Pierné. He was a successful conductor - from 1910 to 1934, as principal conductor of the Concerts Colonne, he was responsible for planning and conducting forty-eight concerts a year. He was a prolific composer, completing nine operas, nine ballets, a host of symphonic works along with a significant body of chamber music, a clutch of oratorios, and numerous solo instrumental pieces. A respected educator and leading member of the French musical establishment, he served on the directing committee of studies at the Conservatoire and was also a member of the Académie des Beaux-Arts and a Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur. Respected by his colleagues and fêted by the public, his considerable fame seems to have expired with his dying breath.
MAJOR WORKS
Concerto for piano and orchestra in C minor (1886-1887)
Scherzo-Caprice for piano and orchestra (1889)
Les enfants à Bethléem, for soli, childrens choir and orchestra (1907) (first performed: April 13 1907)
Ramuntco, music scene for orchestra (1907) (first performed: February 29 1908)
Cydalise et le chèvre-pied, ballet in two acts and three tableaux (1914-1915) (first performed: January 15 1923)
Paysages franciscains, three pieces for orchestra (1920)
Divertissement sur un thème pastoral (1932) (first performed: February 07 1932)