Joseph Ermend Bonnal (1880-1944) was born in the French city of Bordeaux. He first studied violin with his father before entering the Paris Conservatory where he studied piano Charles Wilfrid de Beriot, composition with Gabriel Faure, and organ with Alexander Guilmant and Louis Vierne. He worked most of his life as an organist at some of the most important cathedrals in Paris, eventually taking a teaching position at the Bayonne Conservatory. Most of his works were for organ, he composed a symphony and did not ignore chamber music composing two string quartets, a string trio and many instrumental works with piano.
His Petit Poeme dates from 1909 and was dedicated to two of his friends, Marcel Chailly and Philippe Jurgensen, both amateur musicians. The part-writing is very nicely handled for each instrument. It will certainly make a strong if given in concert and also makes a fine choice for amateur ensembles as well for a less well-served combination.
