Louis Vierne – Piano Works Vol. 1

Louis Vierne left behind a groundbreaking oeuvre for the organ. However, his extraordinarily demanding and high-quality music in virtually all other genres has since fallen into oblivion. Michael Schöch, like Vierne a virtuoso on both the organ and the concert grand piano, dedicates his latest SACD to the complete piano works of the French late Romantic composer. Already the first installment, with emphasis on early works, reveals a versatile composer who knows how to write idiomatically for the piano while conjuring up subtle atmospheric sketches on the stage. The »Suite Bourguignonne« from 1899 depicts in seven idyllic character pieces a day in the countryside, from the morning song to the »Clair de lune«. Debussy is not far away here, just as with the three Nocturnes op. 35: Inspired by the sublime nocturnal impression of the mighty cathedral St. Ouen in Rouen, the first evokes the »Cathédrale engloutie« of the famous colleague – the starlit nocturnal atmosphere of the third even contains the song of a nightingale… Michael Schöch shapes this colourful music with radiant elegance. In addition to the major cycles, the equally inquisitive and versatile artist also devotes himself to smaller pieces, some of which were only published posthumously. For the recording in the concert hall of the abbey Marienmünster, he is assisted by the unmistakable sound of the Steinway concert grand 'Manfred Bürki', which with its year of manufacture 1901 perfectly matches the period of origin of these works. We can already look forward to the sequel, then with compositions from the later creative period!

Reviews

„Louis Vierne is best known for his organ works and as longtime titular organist of the grand organ in Notre-Dame in Paris – to such an extent that he died at the artistic console of that organ. What many do not know, however, is his legacy of piano works, which is now available in high resolution thanks to MDG; the first part of which we present here. Admittedly, this is not exactly core repertoire, but experienced collectors will be pleased to add to their shelves... with an excellently recorded series that is currently being produced. In Michael Schöch's interpretation it comes across as a collection of beautifully painted, late Romantic piano works by, I quote from the accompanying booklet, "a composer of impressive salon music". That we should take positively... If one is looking for a possible point of connection between a Central European piano virtuoso and another who interprets French piano works so remarkably well, the common denominator could lie in the organ. Like Vierne, Schöch is a talented organist (first prize at the International Music Competition of the ARD 2011, organ division) and is thus stylistically connected to the piano just as elegantly as Vierne was." (HRAudio.net) „Louis Vierne (1870–1937) was an organist at Notre-Dame in Paris his entire life, where he composed some of the most impressive works for organ, for which he is especially known and admired. Before I listened to this new recording, I had never heard any of his piano music, and given his career as an organist, I expected to hear pedantic and clumsy music. Imagine my pleasant surprise when I heard the opening piece "Aubade" from the "Suite bourguignonne". The light, airy and quick style immediately reminded me of the music of Maurice Ravel or even Claude Debussy. The 'Danse rustique', also from the 'Suite bourguignonne', the 'Air à danser' and the 'Divertissement' from the 'Silhouettes d'enfants' go in the same direction, all performed with a lively manner by Michael Schöch, who happens to also be an organist and winner of the International Music Competition of the ARD in the organ category... I had absolutely no idea that a church organist could slip so effortlessly into the role of an impressionist. If you love piano music and are looking for something that is rarely mentioned or even performed, this would certainly be a nice addition to your collection." (Classical Music Sentinel)