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René
Herbin, born in 1911, in Vitry-le-François, was to know a particularly
tragic destiny. An
exceptional pianist,
his works
for piano reveal
an unbelievable
sense of virtuosity. He began a double career as concert pianist and
composer after studies at the Paris Conservatory He
was noticed by violoncellist Maurice Maréchal who asked him to
accompany him onnumerous
tours, notably to the Far East in 1937. This
youthful joyousness
was to be abruptly
cut short with
the arrival
of the war. Called
to duty in 1939, he was taken prisoner
and brought to
Germany where he would
remain for almost
five years in different camps. His
output during the years of
captivity is particularly rich. A simple little notebook in which he
would jot down ideas here and there never left him. Numerous works came
to see the light of day
during this period including
the Sonata for violin and piano, « Deidre des Douleurs » for
chamber orchestra, the
piano Sonata, works
written in the most precarious of conditions during
moments stolen from laborious work and other activities imposed on
prisoners. After
two years, detention conditions being lightened somewhat, certain
improvised concerts were
able to be organized with
the help of other
unfortunate companions;
they would be the first
to hear several new musical works. Upon his return to Paris in 1945, René HERBIN revived his career as pianist, participated in chamber music concerts and devoted himself with much intensity to composition. It was in 1949 that the Quartet with piano had its first hearing thanks to the PASQUIER trio. There were more and more commissions from the Radio and the State among which we can cite « Trois Songes » for orchestra (1951) and the Piano concerto (1952) which was premiered by Vlado PERLEMUTER in 1956.
In
1952-53, René HERBIN accompanied Jacques THIBAUD in
some of his concerts. Once again, and this time definitively, the
collaboration was to be
ended with the airplane accident of
September 1,1953 which would claim Herbin's life as well as that
of the great violinist. A
discreet, secrective
and passionate
man, René
HERBIN was
greatly admired
by his
contemporaries Florent SCHMITT,
Henri DUTILLEUX
and Alexandre
TANSMAN who would write
«... a distinctly personal talent
manifests itself in
th e works for orchestra,
chamber music
and piano.
A rich melodic gift,
a very personalized use of harmony, a true lyricism
and perfect utilisation of the instruments.» |