Composer Information: Gabriel Pierné

Henri Constant Gabriel Pierné (Metz, 16 August 1863 – Ploujean, Finistère, 17 July, 1937) was a French organist and composer. He was the organist at Saint Clotilde Basilica in Paris from 1890-1898, succeeding his teacher César Franck, and himself being succeeded by another distinguished Franck pupil, Charles Tournemire. Associated for many years with Edouard Colonne's concert series, the Concerts Colonne, from 1903, Pierné became chief conductor of this series in 1910, and remained in the post until 1934.

He wrote several operas and choral and symphonic pieces with Catholic themes, as well as a good deal of chamber music; his most famous composition is probably the oratorio La Croisade des Enfants. Also notable such shorter works as his March of the Little Lead Soldiers; the popular Marche des petits Faunes is from his ballet Cydalise et le Chèvre-pied. His chamber work, Introduction et variations sur une ronde populaire, for saxophone quartet is a standard in saxophone quartet repertoire.

The Place Gabriel Pierné in Paris is named for him.

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