Gabriel Pierné was nineteen when he won the Prix de Rome. In 1890 he succeeded César Franck at the organ of Sainte-Clotilde, which was no small matter, and held the post for eight years. From 1910 to 1934 he conducted the Concerts Colonne, one of the two great orchestras of the capital, and premiered there a share of the modern repertoire. Of his operas, an Entrée des petits faunes outlived everything.
The story
Born at Metz in 1863, Gabriel Pierné won the Prix de Rome in 1882, at nineteen, after carrying off first prizes throughout his time at the Conservatoire.
In 1890 he succeeded César Franck as organist of Sainte-Clotilde and stayed eight years: the most intimidating succession in French music.
From 1910 to 1934 he conducted the Concerts Colonne — twenty-four years at the head of one of the two great Paris orchestras, where he gave first performances of much of the modern repertoire.
He composed as well: La Croisade des enfants (1902), Ramuntcho (1908), Cydalise et le Chèvre-pied (1923), whose “Entrée des petits faunes” outlived all the rest.
Elected to the Académie des beaux-arts in 1924, he died at Ploujean on 17 July 1937 and rests in Division 13, on Chemin Méhul, first row, beneath a stele on which Henri Bouchard carved the muses Thalia and Euterpe in 1938.
The grave
A bronze bust by the sculptor Henri Bouchard, set up in 1938, a year after the musician's death. The inscription, for its part, fits in two words: “Gabriel PIERNÉ” — no dates, no title, no mention of the Prix de Rome, of Sainte-Clotilde or of the Académie. The bust says everything; the stone says nothing.
On site, do not miss
The bronze bust by Henri Bouchard, set up in 1938, and an inscription of two words: “Gabriel PIERNÉ”. Nothing of Sainte-Clotilde, nothing of the twenty-four years at the Concerts Colonne.
Visitors' questions
Where is Gabriel Pierné's grave?
In Division 13, chemin Méhul, first row, beneath a bronze bust by the sculptor Henri Bouchard set in place in 1938. The Division is the musicians' quarter of the old cemetery: Chopin, Méhul, Pleyel and Gossec rest there.
François-Joseph GossecDid Pierné succeed César Franck?
Yes, at the organ of Sainte-Clotilde in 1890, at twenty-six, and he stayed eight years. It was the most daunting succession in French music at the time: Franck had played there for thirty-two years.
Étienne-Nicolas MéhulWhich orchestra did Gabriel Pierné conduct?
The Concerts Colonne, from 1910 to 1934: twenty-four years at the head of one of the two great Paris orchestras, where he premiered a large share of the modern French repertoire of the inter-war years. He had won the Prix de Rome in 1882, at nineteen.
Charles LecocqWhat did Gabriel Pierné compose?
La Croisade des enfants (1902), Ramuntcho (1908) and Cydalise et le Chèvre-pied (1923), whose “Entrée des petits faunes” — the entry of the little fauns — is the only page still in the standard repertoire. He was elected to the Académie des beaux-arts in 1924.
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