Gabriel Fauré (Faure)

[Ten thumbs]

I am certainly a fan of Fauré. Years ago, I was accompanist for the Requiem in an amateur production, so I know it quite well. I have a volume of his piano works but it isn't complete, so adding to it is on my agenda but as they are well documented already I shan't be going into detail. In the meantime I'm concentrating on Heller, who is very much Fauré's predecessor in that field.

[Madiel]

But what is the reason to talk about the pure beauty? What can you say about it? May be it is better to remain in the pious silence?

A clever response.

...is there scope within this message board to just post photographs of my facial expressions while I listen to my favourite Faure?  Maybe some insight will come across to the viewers!

While I'm here, I should probably apologise to Tortelier - I may have defamed an innocent cellist.  On further listening, I think my not-entirely-enthustiastic response to the 1st cello sonata performance is more likely to be Heidsieck's fault!

Thank you for the suggestions of alternatives, everyone.

[Polednice]

Someone recently recommended that I listen to Fauré, and though I would usually have not paid any notice because French music is a huge blind-spot in my listening habits, the person in question was a fellow Brahms-nut so I had no choice but to honour their request!

And I am extremely pleased that I did. It didn't take long for me to fall in love with Fauré - the music and the man. The man himself seems to have been a paragon of charm, and his forward-thinking approach to the Paris Conservatoire is to be admired (with the horrible declaration of antagonism to modernism by his successors being reprehensible). Tchaikovsky apparently considered him "adorable" and I think I'd agree.

In terms of the music, my gateway (now some of my favourites) were the Barcarolles. Through listening to these, I felt that Fauré was an interesting Chopin (not being a fan of Chopin myself!). He has a wonderful lyric intensity with delicate passage-work, but he's not so banal - instead, he has the textural and harmonic innovativeness of Brahms (I would agree with Copland's appellation, 'the Brahms of France'). His orchestral music is wonderful too, particularly the 18th century homage Masques et Bergamasques, and, naturally, the Requiem. Neville Marriner with the Academy seems to do wonders with this music, and Collard is my go-to guy for solo piano.

In a shameless plug, you can listen to snippets from these recordings on my blog (Barcarolle No. 4; Overture from Masuqes).

[eyeresist]

I would agree with Copland's appellation, 'the Brahms of France'

I've never heard that expression before, but it sounds apt. I have orchestral words conducted by Ansermet and Plasson. I think I prefer Ansermet, except in his recording of the Requiem, which is sadly inadequate.

If you like Faure, you should also listen to Chausson's symphony. I prefer Ansermet's performance to Munch's (haven't heard the others). I have the Australian Eloquence reissue (doesn't seem to be on Amazon) of this:

[Madiel]

Anyone know anything about this recording?

[asin]B000005GRV[/asin]

Vaguely curious about it simply because it would plug a remaining gap in my Faure collection...

(Also, it is somewhat hilarious that I own recordings of over 80 of Faure's opuses, and still don't have a Requiem!)

The only review I've come across wasn't very positive, though.

[madaboutmahler]

Really enjoyed listening to the Faure Requiem today, so much I could barely believe it was the first time I had listened to the whole work. (I had only known one or two of the movements before) What an incredibly beautiful, magical, divine, heavenly work. I absolutely adore it. This is the one I listened to, from my dad's collection:
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A very beautiful performance it certainly was! I would like to collect some more recordings of the piece, so was wondering if another recording could be recommended for me? I was thinking of Dutoit's, or Herreweghe?

I do love much of Faure's music, always love it when I hear it. I am currently starting to learn some of nocturnes on the piano too, very difficult but beautiful to play!

[Rinaldo]

I would like to collect some more recordings of the piece, so was wondering if another recording could be recommended for me? I was thinking of Dutoit's, or Herreweghe?

You can't do any wrong with either of those but I'd wholeheartedly recommend Gardiner, which is - to borrow you term - the most heavenly of them all. The performance is so articulate, so controlled and yet seems so efortless. Pure bliss.

[madaboutmahler]

You can't do any wrong with either of those but I'd wholeheartedly recommend Gardiner, which is - to borrow you term - the most heavenly of them all. The performance is so articulate, so controlled and yet seems so efortless. Pure bliss.

Thanks for the feedback. The Gardiner certainly sounds wonderful, and I see that it is the original orchestration, which would certainly be interesting to hear. I'll probably get Dutoit and Gardiner to start with, when I can.

[Luke]

Someone recently recommended that I listen to Fauré, and though I would usually have not paid any notice because French music is a huge blind-spot in my listening habits

We need to have words! 

I felt that Fauré was an interesting Chopin (not being a fan of Chopin myself!). He has a wonderful lyric intensity with delicate passage-work, but he's not so banal

We need to have more words!! 

Chopin, of course, is the very antithesis of banality, the very soul of poetry and subtlety! Qualities which, to a large degree, Faure shares, of course.

[Alie]

Gabriel Faure is one of the greatest composers as for me! His music always makes me think a lot... "Pavane" is my favorite composition, it's so tender...

[CPK]

This thread is looking a little dusty!

I just discovered Fauré through his song "Le Secret". Beautiful!

I can't seem to find any cycles or anything. Was this not his thing?

Could anybody recommend a disc of his? I favour song over any other form, but I'm willing to try anything else if it's acclaimed!

[San Antone]

This thread is looking a little dusty!

I just discovered Fauré through his song "Le Secret". Beautiful!

I can't seem to find any cycles or anything. Was this not his thing?

Could anybody recommend a disc of his? I favour song over any other form, but I'm willing to try anything else if it's acclaimed!

Songs were definitely Faure's thing, but you might not find all of them unless you search for Mélodies.

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[The new erato]

Re cycles; from wikipedia: Fauré also composed a number of song cycles. Cinq mélodies "de Venise", Op. 58 (1891), was described by Fauré as a novel kind of song suite, in its use of musical themes recurring over the cycle. For the later cycle La bonne chanson, Op. 61 (1894), there were five such themes, according to Fauré.

Try his piano quartets, many wonderful recordings. The augmenteted Wanderer Trio on Harmonia Mundi eg.

[CPK]

Aha, that disc contains both mentioned cycles, so I'll be sure to check that one out. That should keep me occupied for a while, then I'll look into the quartets a bit later.

Thanks!

[Madiel]

Hyperion has released all the songs on 4 CDs. They keep the cycles intact, but spread other opuses across the disc - personally there are some cases where I think this isn't ideal, but I can always reintegrate thanks to the wonders of iTunes playlists.

In fact, the vast majority of the Faure I have comes from the Hyperion label, and I have a lot of Faure.

[TheGSMoeller]

Comparing the recordings I own of my favorite movement from the Requiem, Agnus Dei. Giulini stretches this one out quite a bit, but in return offers the darkest interpretation. Not sure which way I prefer this movement, Willcocks' and Rutter's hastier touch is as equally moving, but with a more hopeful sense.

Giulini - 7:08
Herreweghe - 6:38
Short - 6:17
Dutoit - 6:05
Equilbey - 5:39
Willcocks - 5:30
Rutter - 5:21

Regarding the Pie Jesu, I find Grace Davidson (LSO/Short) to be the loveliest of this lot, such an organic and natural tone that floats above the strings.

[Madiel]

I'm going to have a grumble here...

I've been browsing through the ABC Classic FM 'Classic 100' lists from past years just now. And while it's obvious why Faure doesn't appear on some of the lists (wrong genre, for example), it's the list he does appear on a bit that has me peeved. In 2012 the category was French music, and this is the Faure that made the list:

3. Requiem

23. Pavane

30. Cantique de Jean Racine

46. Clair de lune

74. Sicilienne for cello and piano

96. Dolly Suite

http://www.abc.net.au/classic/classic100/french/

It's true, then. The general classical music-listening public sees Faure as a generator of sweet little melodies. Forget the big chamber music or the late piano works. Let's just have some Faure on in the background with our afternoon tea. Oh, except we''ll get a little serious, because we do like that Requiem.

Sigh.

[Moonfish]

Such a quiet thread!!

I am considering this collection of the chamber works (below). Thoughts?

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[Jo498]

I have not heard this set, but it got rather mixed reviews despite the stellar cast. There were even some complaints about the sound. There are two somewhat overlapping EMI sets with recordings from the 60s-80s (incl. e.g. Ferras in the violin sonatas, IIRC) or so that are considered a good bargain, but I have not heard most of them as well.

[Rinaldo]

Such a quiet thread!!

We tend to keep it down, so Fauré can be heard.

I've recently acquired this

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and while it's beautifully executed, the music left me quite underwhelmed. Gorgeous package, though - recommended if you enjoy those particular pieces.