3/11/2024 Personal Thoughts about Composers and Their Works - Fauré

Chapter 11 Gabriel Urbain Fauré

(1846 ～1924, died at 79)

Born in Pamiers in the southwestern part of France, Fauré studied under Camille Saint-Saëns at music school. Under the influence of Saint-Saëns, Fauré laid the foundation for the revival of French music, which at the time was dominated by Wagner and Berlioz, before Debussy.

*Requiem:  Among the three great requiems of Mozart, Verdi and Fauré, my favorite is Fauré and the recording by the Paris Conservatory Orchestra conducted by André Cluytens is “Eternal Bliss and Joy.” I think it is a masterpiece and performance that expresses death as a feeling of freedom. I belonged to a mixed choir when I was a student and sang Requiems by Fauré and Mozart on stage. This recording by Cluytens is a masterpiece that I love listening to. 3rd track Sanctus ⇒ Pie Jesu (Victoria de los Ángeles' singing voice is the best!!) ⇒ Connects to Agnus Dei ⇒ Libera me (Wonderful solo by Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau ⇒ Ascended to heaven in Paradisum.

For your reference, I have put together a list of works by the composer that I listened to anew in the table below.