Description

STÉPHANE RAOUL PUGNO (PARIS, FRANCE 23 JUNE 1852 – MOSCOW, RUSSIA 3 JANUARY 1914)

Raoul Pugno was born in Paris and was of Italian origin. He made his debut at the age of six, and with the help of Prince Poniatowski he was then able to study at the École Niedermeyer. He then went to the Paris Conservatoire at age 14, where he shone. He won First Prize in Piano in 1866 (his teacher being Georges Mathias, a pupil of Frédéric Chopin), First Prize in Harmony and First Medal for solfège in 1867 (his composition teacher being Ambroise Thomas), and First Prize in Organ in 1869 (his teacher was François Benoist). He was appointed Director of Music at the Opéra by the Paris Commune of March–May 1871. At the grand re-opening of the Opéra, two of his works were performed. He was organist at the Church of St. Eugène from 1872 to 1878, the church’s choirmaster from 1878 to 1892, professor of harmony at the Conservatory from 1892 to 1896, and professor of piano from 1896 to 1901. He was also known as a composer, writing opéras-comiques, ballets, songs, and piano pieces. Not until 1893 did he begin going on concert tours, making his English debut in 1894 and his American in 1897. In 1903 he made several recordings. It is for his performing that he is remembered; his teaching was more influential than his compositions. He died in 1914 in Moscow, while on a concert tour of Russia.

TRACKLIST

1. Impromptu (R Pugno) G&T 35502 2036F 4 03, Paris
2. Pièces pittoresques Scherzo-valse (Chabrier) G&T 035503 2564F 03, Paris
3. Nocturne en fa dièze Op 15 No 2 (Chopin) G&T 035500 2511F 03, Paris
4. Sonate Op 35 Marche funèbre (Chopin) G&T 035505  2569F, Paris
5. Valse en la bémol Op 34 No 1 (Chopin) G&T 35503  2037F 4-03, Paris
6. Valse folle (Massenet) G&T 035502 2563F 03, Paris
7. Caprice Op 16 No 2 (Mendelssohn) G&T 35541  2570F 03, Paris
8. La fileuse Op 67 No 4 (Mendelssohn) G&T 035501 2512F 03, Paris
9. Berceuse Op 57 (Chopin) G&T 35540 2568F 03, Paris
10. Suite No 14 Gavotte variée (Handel) G&T 35500 2034F 03 4-03, Paris
11. Deuxieme Rhapsodie hongroise, pt 1 and pt 2 G&T 35504, 35505, 2050F, 2051F, 4-03, Paris
12. Valse lente (R Pugno) G&T 035504 2565F 03, Paris
13. Premier impromptu in la bémol Op 29 (Chopin) G&T 35518 2566F 03, Paris
14. La chasse Op 19 No 3 (Mendelssohn) G&T 35507 2053F 4-03, Paris
15. Sérénade à la lune (R Pugno) G&T 35508 2054F 4-03, Paris
16. Rondeau brillant Op 62 (Weber) G&T 35506 2052F 4-03, Paris