Best Of Fauré, The

Ravel described the music of Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924) as “inwardly moving: without vain exclamations . . . [exhibiting] the balance between sensibility and reason . . . the purest example of a fine, fecund, and serene life in art.” The exuberant Ouverture of Masques and bergamasques (1919) is a revised mvmt from an abandoned 1869 symphony. The Pastorale captures aristocratic lords and ladies reveling in a rustic setting. The 3 “songs without words” have been described as “an affectionate and very Gallic tribute to Mendelssohn’s urbanity, agitation and ease.” The haunting, nostalgic Pavane (pavane = slow, stately 16th cent. court dance) is immensely popular. The Pelleas et Melisande Prelude finds Melisande lost by a forest fountain, seized by yearning, while the famous Sicilienne, with its limpid flute solo, is a quintessential Fauré melody. Some speculate that Dolly (Hélène Bardac) was Fauré’s daughter. Kitty-Waltz refers to Dolly’s brother’s puppy, “Kitty.” Tendresse is fluid, melodic and full of shifting tonalities. Le pas espagnol displays Spanish rhythms and fire. The Barcarolle mixes innocent sweetness and mild melancholy. The Berceuse (a cradle song) is one of F’s best-loved works, and has a magical, hushed atmosphere. In the Shylock Nocturne, violins playing haunting melody soar over subtly shifting harmonies. The Requiem mvmts emphasize human feeling, compassion and tenderness, rather than the usual concept of divine judgment. The Ballade combines gentility and dreaminess with urgent climaxes and passion.

1. Masques et bergamasques, Op. 112. I. Ouverture (3:51)
2. Masques et bergamasques, Op. 112. II. Pastorale (4:24)
3. 3 romances sans paroles. Op. 17, No 1 in A flat-Major. (2:14)
4. Romance, Op. 28 (5:39)
5. Pavane, Op. 50 (7:46)
6. Requiem, Op. 48: Pie Jesu (3:33)
7. Pelleas et Melisande, Op. 80. I. Prelude (7:00)
8. Pelleas et Melisande, Op. 80. III. Sicilienne (3:22)
9. Dolly, Op. 56 (arr. for orch.) IV. Kitty – Waltz (3:00)
10. Dolly, Op. 56 (arr. for orch.) V. Tendresse (4:36)
11. Dolly, Op. 56 (arr. for orch.) VI. Le pas espagnol (2:34)
12. Barcarolle No. 1 in A minor, Op. 26 (5:50)
13. Berceuse, Op. 16 (3:33)
14. Requiem, Op. 48, In Paradisum (3:23)
15. Shylock, Op. 57. V. Nocturne (2:51)
16. Ballade in F-sharp Major, Op. 19 (13:31)