Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924)

Donald Macleod explores some of the many turning points in Fauré’s career

Gabriel Fauré’s story begins during the second half of the 19th century, when the musical world was dominated by the heavily romantic voices of composers like Wagner, Brahms and Liszt. Fauré became a key protagonist in a musical revolution that opened audiences ears to new modes of expression - modern, refined and utterly French. As a composer, and as a teacher at the Paris Conservatoire, he left a huge legacy on the music of the twentieth century. This week Donald Macleod explores some of the many turning points in Fauré’s career, and how those events affected his life and his art.

Music Featured:

Tarentelle, “Aux cieux la lune monte et luit” Op 10, No 2 Violin Sonata No 1 in A, Op 13 Élégie in C minor, Op 24 Berceuse, Op 16 Après un rêve, Op 7, No 1 Automne, Op 18 No 3 Poème d’un jour, Op 21 No 1-3 Souvenirs de Bayreuth Piano Quartet No 1 in C minor, Op 15 Ballade in F sharp, Op 19 Les roses d’lspahan, Op 39, No 4 Papillon, Op 77 Pavane, Op 50 Clair de lune, Op 46, No 2 Spleen Op 51, No 3 Mandoline, Op 58, No 1 Requiem, Op 48 Le parfum impérissable, Op 76, No 1 Dolly Suite, Op 56 Fantaisie, Op 79 Pelléas et Mélisande, Op 80 Nocturne No 6 in D flat, Op 63 Cantique de Jean Racine, Op 11 Le Chanson d’Ève, Op 96, No 1-5 Pénélope (Prelude) Violin Sonata No 2 in E minor, Op 108 (Andante) Masques et bergamasques, Op 112

Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Luke Whitlock, for BBC Wales

For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000w2x8

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z