Gabriel Fauré (1845–1924)

Born in Pamiers in 1845, Gabriel Fauré was sent as a child to the École Niedermeyer in Paris, a school for church musicians. There he studied plainchant, the old modes and piano, notably with Camille Saint-Saëns, who became his friend and mentor.

For many years he earned his living as an organist and teacher, especially at the Church of the Madeleine, while writing songs, chamber music and piano pieces. Recognition came late: he became composition professor at the Paris Conservatoire (Ravel was among his students) and then its director from 1905 to 1920, even as progressive deafness weighed on him.

His language is one of restraint: long, supple melodies, harmonies that glide from key to key without ever forcing, and a modal heritage drawn from plainchant. His Requiem, his Pavane and songs such as “Après un rêve” are among the most performed French works.

At the piano, his Nocturnes, Barcarolles and Songs without Words teach you to make a line sing over a flowing accompaniment and to follow harmony that changes colour from bar to bar.