Louis Vierne - Life, Compositions, Discography

Organist and composer, born in Poitiers, W France. He studied at L'Institut des Jeunes Aveugles in Paris (1880–90) and was influenced by Franck and Widor, whom he succeeded at Saint-Sulpice and at the Conservatoire, where he obtained the Prix d'Orgue in 1884. Organist par concours at Notre Dame de Paris, he took up this instrument again after the War on his return to Switzerland, but his style met with less success. He toured in Europe and the USA (1920–30). His spiritual and lyrical music includes melodies, five symphonies, a quartet with piano, and a symphonic poem based on ‘Les Djinns’ by Victor Hugo (1905).

Louis Victor Jules Vierne, (October 8, 1870–June 2, 1937) was a French organist and composer.

Life

Louis Vierne was born on 8 October 1870.

He, like Gabriel Fauré, was an assistant to the organist Charles-Marie Widor at Saint-Sulpice in Paris, and from 1900, principal organist at Notre-Dame de Paris.

His output for organ includes six symphonies, "24 Fantasy Pieces" (which includes his famous "Carillon of Westminster"), and "24 Pieces In Free Style", among other works. There are also several chamber works (sonatas for violin and cello, a piano quintet and a string quartet for example), vocal and choral music, and a symphony in A minor for orchestra. Though he held one of the most prestigious organ posts in France, the Notre-Dame organ was in a state of disrepair throughout much of his tenure at the instrument.

Vierne suffered a stroke while giving his 1750th organ recital at Notre-Dame de Paris on the evening of June 2, 1937.

Compositions

Organ solo

Allegretto op. 1 (1894) Verset fugué sur 'In exitu Israel' (1894) Prélude funèbre op. 4 (1896) Communion op. 8 (1900) First Symphony d minor, op. 14 (1898-1899) Second Symphony e minor, op. 20 (1902) Third Symphony f♯ minor, op. 28 (1911) Messe basse, op. 30 (1912) 24 pièces en style libre pour orgue ou harmonium, op. 31 (1913) Fourth Symphony g minor, op. 32 (1914) Prélude f♯ minor, without opus (1914) Fifth Symphony a minor, op.47 (1923-1924) 24 Pièces de fantaisie: First Suite op. 51 (1926) Second Suite op. 53(1926) Third Suite op. 54 (1927) Fourth Suite op. 55 (1927) Trois Improvisations (Notre-Dame-de-Paris, November 1928), transcribed by Maurice Duruflé (1954): Marche épiscopale Méditation Cortège Triptyque op. 58 (1929-1931): Matines Communion Stèle pour un enfant défunt' Sixth Symphony b minor, op. 59 (1930) Messe basse pour les défunts, op. 62 (1934)

Piano solo

Deux Pièces, op. 7: Impression d'automne Intermezzo Feuillets d'album, op. 9 Suite bourguignonne, op. 17 (1899) Trois Nocturnes, op. 34 (1916) Douze Préludes, op. 36 Poème des cloches funèbres, op. 39 (1916) Silhouettes d'enfants, op. 43 (1918) Solitude, op. 44 (1918) Ainsi parlait Zarathoustra, op. 49 (1922)

Chamber music

Deux Pièces for Violoncello, op. 5 Largo et Canzonetta for Oboe and Piano, op. 6 (1896) String Quartet, op. 12 (1894) Sonate for Violin and Piano, op. 23 (1905-1906) Rhapsodie for Harp, op. 25 (1909) Sonate for Violoncello and Piano, op. 27 (1910) Piano Quintet, op. 42 (1917) Soirs étrangers for Violoncello and Piano, op. 56 (1928) Quatre poèmes grecs for Soprano and Harp or Piano, op. 60 (1930)

Miscellaneous works

Messe solennelle c# minor for choir and two organs, op. 16 (1900) Praxinoé for soloists, choir and orchestra, op. 22 (1903-1905) Sinfonie a minor for orchestra, op. 24 (1907-1908) Psyché for soprano and orchestra, op. 33 (1914) Les Djinns for soprano and orchestra, op. 35 (1912) Éros for soprano and orchestra, op. 37 (1916) Spleens et Détresses for soprano and piano or orchestra, op. 38 (1916) Dal Vertice for tenor and orchestra, op. 41 (1917) Poème for piano and orchestra, op. 50 (1925) La Ballade du désespéré for tenor and orchestra or piano, op. 61 (1931) Songs after poems by Paul Verlaine, Charles Baudelaire and others

Discography

4 Organ Symphonies : Marie-Claire Alain organ Aristide Cavaillé-Coll, Abbaye aux Hommes of Caen (Erato 2292-45485-2) Louis Vierne: Messe Solennelle: Westminster Cathedral Choir, Andrew Reid, organ. Deux-Elles Louis Vierne: Piano Quintet op. Hyperion Louis Vierne: Organ Symphonies nos.