The music world harbors a curious mystery surrounding Gabriel Fauré, who is often considered a "modest provincial" alongside Debussy or Ravel. His compositions combine the revolutionary with the traditional and deliberately cultivate a certain ambiguity. Even his early works demonstrate elegant transitions with graceful ease. His pieces reflect a connection to the Commedia dell'Arte – mysterious and artistically refined. Fauré's piano works are characterized by a sophisticated musical language that blends modern elements with classical forms.
Many pianists avoid Fauré's more complex pieces, such as the Preludes and later Nocturnes, for fear of alienating their audience, which often prefers only superficial works. Fauré created music that expresses personal feelings and places the listener in a state of ambivalence. Life events such as the death of his father and his progressive deafness shaped Fauré's compositional output. Nevertheless, he managed to overcome his deepest fears and reveal emotional complexity in his later works.
His Impromptus demonstrate the breadth of his artistic development. The "Trois romances sans paroles," which he published as a student, and the Valses-caprices are charming homages to earlier masters, while the Ballade pour piano seul and the Nine Preludes attest to his creative versatility. Dolly and the Mazurka reveal Fauré's talent for combining childlike innocence with brilliant irony. His Nocturnes and Barcarolles, especially No. 11, reflect his emotional depth and musical brilliance.
Fauré's genius is often underestimated, yet artists like Copland emphasize the subtle intensity of his music. Kathryn Stott's comprehensive interpretations offer a refreshing perspective on a gifted composer whose elegance and sophistication are timeless. With mature confidence and moving sounds, Fauré expanded the boundaries of musical refinement and gave his all to make his music unforgettable.