Description
The French composer Gabriel Pierné (1863-1937) had a lifelong fascination with the music of the 18th century. He often used 18th century styles and ideas in his own music and the Pastorale variée (dans le style ancien), Op. 30, is, as its name suggests, a perfect example of this.
Originally conceived as a work for solo piano in 1894, Pierné later transcribed the piece for wind septet with the unusual instrumentation of flute, oboe, clarinet, two bassoons, horn and trumpet. – although they never play all together. It was first performed in 1898 for the ‘La Trompette’ chamber music society.
The work begins with a simple, lyrical theme, which is then presented in canon. Thereafter begin the five variations (given the Baroque name of ‘doubles’) – including one entitled Tourbillon (Whirlwind). Throughout the variations the thematic material undergoes a series of transformations in terms rhythm, style, time signature, tempo and ornamentation whilst the key signature remains steadfastly in B flat.
