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This is a comprehensive biography of the French composer Gabriel Faure for the general reader, placing his work in the context of his times. Gabriel Faure (1845-1924) is one of the best-loved French composers of his era: works such as his Requiem, "Pavane", "Dolly Suite, and "Cantique de Jean Racine" are perennial favourites. But Faure's importance runs far deeper. His music has a unique blend of vigour and restraint, sensuality and purity: an individual voice with a degree of integrity that helped him to resist the overwhelming forces - notably the music of Wagner - that held his Parisian contemporaries in thrall. His artistic independence served to inspire many of the next generation of French composers seeking to create a new Gallic identity beyond World War I. At the Paris Conservatoire, Faure's composition teaching was vital to such figures as Maurice Ravel, Nadia Boulanger and Charles Koechlin; when he ultimately became the Conservatoire's director, his reforms were the most radical the institution had yet experienced. Faure has often been thought of as a dreamy, somewhat unworldly individual; this book, however, reveals his ambition and decisiveness. Born in southern France and educated at the Ecole Niedermeyer rather than the powerful Paris Conservatoire, he struggled for years to achieve recognition from France's musical establishment, which often deemed him a dangerous outsider; in his personal life he struggled also against bouts of depression, an unsatisfactory marriage and, later, devastating deafness. Faure's life and works are explored in the context of the creative melting pot of fin-de-siecle Paris. His relationship with such figures as Saint-Saens, Liszt, Proust and Verlaine are considered in detail and help to create a portrait of this fascinating milieu. This biography, which charts Faure's long and difficult rise to fame, sets out to illuminate his individuality and reveal his enduring legacy to French music.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a great book - I came to it as a bit of a newcomer to Faure and found it fascinating. It's beautifully written and it opens a window into the world of fin de siecle France - and it just makes you want to go out and listen to all the music! Alongside David Cairns' biography of Berlioz this definitely counts as one of my favourite books on music.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This was thoroughly enjoyed
I had come late to Gabriel via the Nocturnes and this account was splendidly paced to give me an idea of his life and times
Not a book to comment overmuch on the works themselves, but the overall effect was most pleasing
I had come late to Gabriel via the Nocturnes and this account was splendidly paced to give me an idea of his life and times
Not a book to comment overmuch on the works themselves, but the overall effect was most pleasing
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3 reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Great information
15 Nov 2009
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This was a great source! I used this for a college presentation as one of my sources. This was a great book. I would recommend it for the singer and scholar to read.
A marvelous book about a marvelous composer
25 April 2012
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This books is so much more than just a biography of a great, but not very well known composer. It is a mirror of the musical scene in France for the exciting period in the last 19th century and early 20th century. A web of many relationships - teacher/student, composer/composer, conservative music society/reformist - comes to light. I just love how the book has the right amount of pictures, old texts, photographs, and quotes from witnesses of that time. Written for the interested music lover, Jessica Duchen's non-technical book is a little gem that should be part of your library. And if you happen to play the piano, or even Faure's pieces, this book is a must-have as you will better understand the thinking of this master composer. The book is well-organized by time periods, and has a comprehensive classified list of works and discography. Overall, a marvelous book about a marvelous composer.
Unique Source
15 Nov 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The item did arrive in perfect condition. The good thing was it had unique details of composers life plus the pictures of important times of his life. It also explain most of the working of composer, a must have for a Faure fan. Thanks
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