Book Description
Regarding Fauré addresses pivotal French composer Gabriel Fauré's rightful place in an epoch where fin-de-siècle France set the scene for many of music's most startling revolutions. The volume explores numerous aspects of the composer and his world: Fauré's role as an educator, critic, composer, and advocate for French music. Critical, analytical, and interdisciplinary approaches are bought to bear on Fauré's chamber music, his opera and especially his rich repertoire of mélodies. Was Fauré, best known in his lifetime as organist, pedagogue and salon attraction, the arriére-gardiste that many of his most famous works have continued to suggest? Or should his neglected and often enigmatic compositions of the early twentieth century dictate for him a position in the avant-garde of his celebrated protégés, Debussy and Ravel? Regarding Fauré, the result of a 1995 conference on Fauré's important contribution to classical music, was written by Tom Gordon, artistic director the Ensemble Musica Nova and a professor in the Department of music at Bishop's University in Quebec. Also included are contributions from some of the world's most renowned Fauré scholars including Jean-Michel Nectous, Robert Orledge, Edward Phillips, and Steven Huebner.
Synopsis
Regarding Faur? , the result of a 1995 conference on Faur?'s important contribution to classical music, was written by Tom Gordon, artistic director the Ensemble Musica Nova and a professor in the Department of music at Bishop's University in Quebec. Also included are contributions from some of the world's most renowned Faur? scholars including Jean-Michel Nectous, Robert Orledge, Edward Phillips, and Steven Huebner. With a lifetime that spanned the developments of Chopin, Debussy, Schoenberg, and Stravinsky, the great French composer Gabriel-Urbain Faur? (1845-1924) lived during one of the most interesting periods in music history, yet steered a course uniquely his own. Exploring the composer's role as an educator, critic, composer, and advocate for French music, Regarding Faur? is critical, analytical, and interdisciplinary in its approach to understanding Faur?'s prodigious works and life. His numerous compositions include more than 100 songs (known as 'melodie', or French art songs); dozens of solo piano works (nocturnes, barcarellos, impromptus); an opera; and religious choral works, which included another of his best known pieces Messe de Requim . Faur?'s music was unique in that he combined the clarity, balance, and precision of classical form with a wholeheartedly romantic spirit.
Even though he was well aware of the trends of his time, he remained steadfastly loyal to his own musical ideals, charting a steady, personal evolution over a half century of compositional output. It wasn't until the end of his life that Faur? began to receive the recognition he deserved. In 1896, he was appointed professor of composition at the Paris Conservatoire. In 1905, at the age of 60, Faur? became the director of the Paris Conservatoire. His fifteen years of service there brought many radical changes as he sought to support the new trends in music, while at the same time providing his students with a firm foundation in music fundamentals and history. Regarding Faur? explores all of the great composer's oeuvre and sheds new light on many of his lesser known accomplishments. It is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of classical music and a genius whose achievements are just coming to light.
