Gabriel Pierne

I don't know if everyone is aware of this composer or not, but I thought it might be good to have a discussion page for him.

Pierne (1863-1937) is an incredible composer, but he is almost entirely unknown. I'll link a few works to give you an example.

His Piano Concerto is brilliant. It's full of fire and great passion, you can just feel the sort of obsession, longing, and torment that the composer is describing. It's one of my favorite pieces.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1E68_Lc ... re=related

He's written many other works for orchestra, like the Scherzo Caprice...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hffa_iSv_QY

...he was also a tremendous organist, here's an interesting Prelude he wrote. (Since I can't find the Toccata on youtube)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oivQyPe ... re=related

 

Of course Any strong musician would know Pierne! Did you know he influenced Rachmaninoff? A while ago I read an article called "Conversations with Rachmaninoff" by Basil Mayne that was written in October 1936 I beleive. In the article Rachmaninoff said that he enjoyed Piernes Music very much... You can hear how Rachmaninoff used certain harmonies from Pierne...For example in his piano concerto 2:51-2:57 can be heard in Rachmaninoffs piano concerto, 3rd movement of his 3rd.