Gabriel Fauré | Introduction to His Famous and Representative Works
Gabriel Fauré, the French composer who influenced many others during the 19th and 20th centuries when new forms of music were emerging.
While he was influenced by the many new styles published by his contemporaries, he did not become absorbed by them; instead, he developed his own voice with an exquisite sense of balance.
His works convey a serene purity rather than showiness.
Fauré’s famous and representative pieces span a wide range—from orchestral works to chamber music, piano pieces, and songs.
Please enjoy the beautiful melodies and harmonies that could only have come from Fauré.
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Gabriel Fauré | Introducing Masterpieces and Notable Works (21–30)
SicilienneGabriel Urbain Fauré
A chamber music piece composed by Fauré in 1898.
The title Sicilienne refers to a dance that originated in 17th–18th century Sicily, Italy.
The work not only features a beautiful melody but is also rhythmic, employing many dotted rhythms.
The piece was later arranged for orchestra as part of the incidental music for the play Pelléas et Mélisande, where it is used as accompaniment when the two protagonists declare their love by a fountain.
RequiemGabriel Urbain Fauré
Among the works of the French composer Fauré, this piece is performed the most and is known as a masterpiece of the Requiem genre.
Together with the Requiems by Mozart and Verdi, it is sometimes referred to as one of the ‘Three Great Requiems.’ Although it was criticized at the time of its composition for being ‘too innovative,’ it encapsulates Fauré’s belief that ‘death is not so much suffering as it is a release filled with the joy of eternal bliss.’ Within its religious reverie, one can sense a reassuring feeling of eternal peace.
Gabriel Fauré | Introducing Famous and Representative Works (31–40)
Berceuse from the Dolly SuiteGabriel Urbain Fauré
Many of you probably remember the delightful commercial featuring Ichiro, where he’s peppered with questions by aliens curious about topics like Earth’s energy resources and ecology.
The piano piece used in that ad is “Berceuse,” the first movement from Dolly, composed by the French composer Gabriel Fauré, known for works such as his Requiem.
Dolly is a suite of six pieces for piano four hands, written to celebrate the birth of a friend’s daughter.
There are also versions where instruments like the flute or cello carry the main melody.
No matter which instrument plays it, you can savor its refined and beautiful melody.
Suite ‘Masques et bergamasques’, Op. 112Gabriel Fauré
Suite Masques et bergamasques, Op.
112: 1.
Overture, 2.
Minuet, 3.
Gavotte, 4.
Pastorale.
Four movements arranged as an orchestral suite from the original eight pieces of incidental music.
Performed by the Young Artists Orchestra of Greenville, conducted by Gary Robinson.
Fantaisie for Flute and Piano, Op. 79Gabriel Fauré
Fantaisie in C major, Op.
79, for flute and piano.
The first part, Andantino, is lyrical and somewhat exotic; the second part, Allegro, is full of vitality.
The performers are Buenos Aires–based flutist Claudio Barile and pianist Paula Peluso.
Sicilienne, Op. 78Gabriel Urbain Fauré
Gabriel Fauré’s Sicilienne, Op.
78.
Composed in 1893, it is one of Fauré’s best-known works.
Originally written for violin, it was later arranged for cello and piano, and for flute and piano, and has become a staple of the flute repertoire as well.
The siciliana (sicilienne) is a dance that originated in Sicily, Italy, characterized by a triple meter; its clear, singable melody combined with moments of harmonically unstable writing creates a dreamlike, evocative atmosphere.
Sicilienne, Op. 78Gabriel Urbain Fauré
A holiday morning.
Even though you don’t really have to get up, sometimes you wake up out of weekday habit, right? For times like that, I recommend Fauré’s Sicilienne, Op.
78.
This masterpiece by the great composer Gabriel Fauré is widely used in Japanese media.
While it carries a slightly mysterious, hollow atmosphere, I think it’s perfectly soothing for drifting back to sleep.
If you’ve woken up too early and are at a loss, try listening to this piece and see if you can doze off again.
