Pierne: Melodies – Songs

This Pierne disc is the 10th devoted to the greatly neglected French composer, and the 26th in a vast panorama of song begun by Timpani more than 20 years ago. These works, of which it would be difficult to find earlier recordings, illustrate two facets of Pierne's output: the early songs in the style of his teacher Massenet, and the album of Six Ballades françaises of Paul Fort. Two worlds - one decadent and fin de siecle, the other more abrasive - though still having the same exceptional craftsmanship, that knowledge of the musical phrase, that unending inventiveness that are the distinctive traits of Pierne's genius. Sabine Revault d'Allonnes and Samuel Jean once more achieve the miraculous spontaneity and sensuality that attracted music-lovers in their Massenet CD.