Pierre Fournier
French cellist Pierre Fournier was born in Paris on 24 June 1906. He studied with Odette Krettly, André Hekking and Paul Bazelaire, and graduated at seventeen from the Paris Conservatoire. His talents began to be noticed when he played with the Concerts Colonne Orchestra, and he began touring Europe. His recordings include the Bach cello suites, the Beethoven cello sonatas and the Elgar cello concerto. Martinu's Cello Concerto No 1 and Poulenc's Cello Sonata were both dedicated to Pierre Fournier.
Fournier taught in Paris at the Ecole Normale de Musique and at the Conservatoire. He later moved to Swizerland and taught privately in Geneva, where his pupils included Julian Lloyd Webber. He died in Geneva on 8 January 1986, aged seventy-nine.
A selection of articles about Pierre Fournier
CD Spotlight. Much Playfulness - Beethoven cello sonatas and variations, heard by Robert Anderson. 'Fournier and Gulda give Handel a rousing send-off ...'
CD Spotlight. A Skilful Balance - The Icicle Creek Piano Trio, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... rhythmically brisk, considered performances ...'