Pierné Piano Quintet; Vierne: String Quartet

Vierne Pierné
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Artist: Piers Lane, Goldner Quartet, Gabriel Pierné, Louis Vierne
Genre: Classical
Label: Hyperion

If you're fond of César Franck's piano quintet and wondered if anyone else ever wrote another work in the same spirit, you'll be delighted to discover the 1917 quintet by Franck's pupil, Gabriel Pierné. From its mysterious opening, through the lopsided lilting of its central movement influenced by the zortzico (a Basque dance), to the thematic cumulation of the full-on finale, this 40-minute piece sounds totally convincing in the impassioned reading by Piers Lane and the Goldner Quartet. The 1894 String Quartet by Louis Vierne, another Franck pupil, best remembered for his organ music, is an altogether lighter affair. Think of the composer's more deft organ pieces and you'll be on the right lines. url.ie/4qdb

Michael Dervan

Michael Dervan

Michael Dervan is a music critic and Irish Times contributor