![[Fauré] Lower Difficulty! Recommended Piano Pieces by a Master of French Music](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/5hHSpGwPFTk/maxresdefault.webp)
Gabriel Fauré, the French composer whose style created original works while upholding classical formal beauty, had a profound influence on 20th-century classical composers.
Fauré’s works—ranging from orchestral and sacred music to pieces noted for their flowing beauty, elegance, delicacy, and warmth—have long been loved by classical music fans.
From Fauré’s wide-ranging output, we have selected some of his most popular piano pieces.
Here we introduce relatively accessible works that you can not only listen to but also enjoy performing to experience Fauré’s world for yourself.
If you are studying piano, please use this as a reference!
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[Fauré] Lower Difficulty! Recommended Piano Pieces (1–10) by a Master of French Music
Barcarolle No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 26Gabriel Fauré
Gabriel Fauré composed thirteen barcarolles over the course of his life.
A barcarolle is defined as an instrumental or vocal piece derived from the songs of Venetian gondoliers, yet Fauré did not visit Venice, Italy for the first time until between the publication of his Barcarolle No.
4 and the beginning of No.
5.
In other words, he composed No.
1 without ever having experienced the atmosphere of the place.
Even so, Fauré’s barcarolles have been highly praised by many composers and music critics as outstanding works.
Through performance, why not experience the melodies and rhythms of the barcarolle that had taken root within Fauré?
Lullaby, No. 1 from the Suite “Dolly,” Op. 56Gabriel Fauré
The famous piano duet masterpiece, Suite: Dolly.
Among Gabriel Fauré’s works, it is particularly well known and popular.
This time, I’d like to recommend the Piano Solo arrangement of Suite “Dolly,” Op.
56: No.
1 Berceuse, made by Alfred Cortot, one of the leading French pianists of the early 20th century.
The difficulty is around intermediate level, and its greatest charm lies in the broken chords.
It’s one of the easier pieces in Suite: Dolly and approachable even for beginners, though you might stumble at the middle section where it modulates to C major.
Pavane, Op. 50Gabriel Fauré
Pavane, Op.
50—one of the signature works of French composer Gabriel Fauré, who was also a pianist and educator—was originally composed as an orchestral piece.
A choral part was added the following year, and Fauré himself later arranged it for piano and performed it.
It is also known for its compatibility with a variety of genres, with cover versions such as one by the British vocal group Il Divo.
In the piano version, you can enjoy a delicate sonority that differs slightly from the sacred atmosphere of the original.
Barcarolle No. 7 in D minor, Op. 90Gabriel Fauré
Set in an elegant 6/8 rhythm, this piece gently reaches the ear with a piano melody that undulates like waves.
Within its relaxed and calm tempo, an introspective emotion is interwoven: the left hand evokes the swell of the sea, while the right hand spins a delicate line.
Although composed in 1913, its harmonic beauty and originality remain undimmed, continuing to move listeners deeply.
If you study the piano, consider adding this work to your repertoire: despite its simple structure, it invites richly nuanced expression.
It is a piece that lets you experience the characteristic elegance of French music along with the fresh sonorities of the transitional period from the Romantic era to modernism.
Sicilienne, Op. 78Gabriel Fauré
For beginners and intermediate players, Gabriel Fauré’s collection of piano pieces is very familiar.
This time, I’d like to introduce Sicilienne, Op.
78, from that collection.
Its difficulty level is suitable for upper beginners or lower intermediate players.
The left-hand leaps are a bit tricky, so you might stumble at first, but if you practice hands separately, you’ll definitely be able to play it.
It’s also a piece that sounds impressive, so I highly recommend working on it for a piano recital.
Three Songs Without Words, Op. 17-1, No. 1 in A-flat majorGabriel Fauré
This is Gabriel Fauré’s piano work “Trois Romances sans paroles,” renowned as a masterpiece.
In guides and books that compile difficulty levels, it’s often classified around Czerny 40.
Personally, I think the actual difficulty is closer to Czerny 30—it’s not as hard as people generally say.
In particular, No.
1 from Op.
17 is among the easier pieces within the set.
It’s notable for its noble and beautiful melody.
Consider it as a reference candidate for a piano recital piece.
Elegy in C minor, Op. 24Gabriel Fauré
This is a masterpiece of French modern music, distinguished by its sweet, delicate sonority and richly expressive melody.
It opens with a quietly profound, wistful introduction, builds to a passionate climax in the middle section, and returns to stillness at the end, a three-part form that leaves a deep impression on the listener.
Within its unhurried tempo, the subtle harmonies and beautiful melodic lines convey the elegance and warmth characteristic of French music.
This work, which showcases a superb balance between solo cello and orchestra, was featured at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, accompanying performances by figure skating gold medalists.
It is a perfect piece for those studying cello or piano who wish to experience the allure of Romantic-era music.