gerg - Fauré Nocturne 33/3: Message Board

gerg's Comments

Gabriel Fauré, though perhaps less obscure than other composers here represented, certainly deserves the mantle of "Unsung Hero."

This Nocturne is one of thirteen that Gabriel Fauré wrote while he was a church organist in Paris supporting a young family, one of my childhood favorites performed by that legend Artur Rubinstein and, surprisingly, one of the least commonly-played. What recordings I have heard have not satisfied me as Rubinstein's did, with the most common problem being a lack of life.

Having studied a little bit about the man Fauré, I have read that his tempi are to be taken with the proverbial grain of salt. He was notorious for making corrections to his scores even after publication! What he lacked in editorial skill he more than made up for with his unique, gentle, and futuristic sound, warmly romantic yet ever forward-looking, and always, unlike certain of his contemporaries, anchored to something.

This Nocturne carries such charm that is best brought out if one takes a few liberties especially with tempo. Though I have not done it justice here, and probably never will, this 33/3 is a companion that I will happily carry in my repertoire all of my playing days.

Thank you, Monsieur Fauré, for leaving us such an undiscovered and unique treasure of piano music!

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Name	Date	Comment
Cinnamonbear	2010-08-23 12:50:39	I listened to this the day the e-cital was posted, then twice again just now. You are right... it is a piece that needs life, which you certainly give it! It is clear in your playing that you, as a performer and interpreter, hear a lot going on in there, which you bring out beautifully. Isn't it fun when you hear the big boys and girls play a piece, and say with complete dissatisfaction, "That's not how it goes!!!"? Nice job, gerg!
Inlanding	2010-08-21 19:07:38	The grains of salt to which you refer are being sprinkled with the joy you are having while playing this Fauré. I struggle every time I attempt to play is work. You make such a complex set of harmonies make sense. Your tribute to him almost rivals your playing. Bravissimo!
heidiv	2010-08-21 08:14:16	You bring so many colors to this piece. Your liberty with tempo feels just right. A wonderful performance!
gerg	2010-08-21 00:11:45	Wow, thank you very much gentlemen! Carey, I remembered you had specifically mentioned this piece in a thread on Fauré, which is partly what inspired me to share it, for which I thank you. I wish I had changed a recording setting that adversely impacted the quality, but I was fortunate enough to get a fairly clean take with only a few minor slip-ups. You've all made my day with your kind words.
Rachfan	2010-08-20 21:39:28	Hi Gerg, This is one of my favorites of Faure's Nocturnes (I play No. 6). I love his shifting tonal centers and unusual harmonies. And in the lyrical, melodic sections he never fails to excel as a true late romanticist. You have produced a fine rendition here! David
Sorcerer88	2010-08-20 21:13:50	I think you were quite successful in bringing life and free tempo into the piece, especially the section at the beginning is great, must be rythmically challenging. Fauré has beautiful pieces, but to my mind sometimes he is a bit inaccessible. Not here though, fascinating music!
Carey	2010-08-20 19:58:54	Gerg - Very VERY nice performance of this beautiful Nocturne. What a wonderful piece to have in your repertoire !! And you certainly give it the "vitality" it deserves. Great work !!