Gabriel Fauré Works

Popular French counterparts to Mendelssohn's Songs Without Words, Fauré's three Romances sans paroles (romances without words), Opus 17, were composed while he was a student at the Ecole Niedermeyer in about 1863. The first romance (Andante quasi allegretto, in A♭ major) has an opening theme with an uncomplicated melody and Mendelssohnian syncopations. The second (Allegro molto, in A minor) an exuberant piece, has a strong semiquaver figure supporting the theme, and runs high into the treble and low into the bass. The third (Andante moderato, in A♭ major) is a serene andante with a flowing tune in the Mendelssohnian style that gently fades to silence at the end.

One of Faure's most famous pieces, Sicilienne was written in 1898 and is the third movement of his Pelléas et Mélisande (Opus 80), which is the incidental music for Maurice Maeterlinck's play of the same name. Originally written for orchestra, Sicilienne has been adapted for other instrument combinations such as flute and harp, flute and piano, and solo piano.

Gabriel Fauré (1845 - 1924) was a French composer, organist, pianist, and teacher. He was one of the foremost French composers of his generation, and his musical style influenced many twentieth century composers. Among his best-known works are his Nocturnes for piano, the songs Après un rêve and Clair de lune, and his Requiem.