Turbulent Heart

03/10/2009
Geoff Adams
Otago Daily Times (NZ)

Louis Vierne (1870 – 1937) and Ernest Chausson (1855-1899) provide French romantic music tinged with tragedy. Outstanding Australian tenor Davislim is brilliant with the Queensland Orchestra under French conductor Guillaume Tourniaire.

Four symphonic poems for voice and orchestra by Vierne have their world premiere recordings. They have the ring of the tragedies in his life. The thrilling Les Djinns is most effective.

Chausson's masterpiece of 19th-century French melodie, Poeme de l'amour et de la mer has two poignant poems set to music, separated by orchestral interlude. (It was originally written for tenor, not mezzo.)

Low note: Playing his 1,750th organ recital in Notre-Dame, Paris., Vierne  collapsed. His foot hit the low E pedal; the note echoing through Cathedral as he died.