Page 213 - (DK) The Classical Music Book - Big Ideas Simply Explained

NATIONALISM 1830–1920 211

See also: Canticum Canticorum 46–51 ■ Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott 78–79 ■
St. Matthew Passion 98–105 ■ Elijah 170–173 ■ The Dream of Gerontius 218–219

Fauré’s setting for the extra movement, In Paradisum, that
Requiem Mass comes not from the Mass but from
the burial service.
The unusual selection of texts is
The opening prayer, the Introit matched with a distinctive choice
et Kyrie, is restful with of instruments to accompany the
sudden changes of dynamics.
mixed choir and soloists—no violin
section, but only violas, cellos, and
double basses, a harp, trumpets,
horns, trombones, organ, and
timpani. In addition, a solo violin
The offering of the Eucharist, Gabriel Fauré
the Offertory, is reverent, soars above the harp and lower
calm, and peaceful. strings in the Sanctus. Fauré clearly Born in 1845 in Pamiers in
intended the work to be played by southwest France, Gabriel
this unusual ensemble, but upon Fauré showed an early musical
receiving the score in 1890, his talent and was sent to the
publishers requested a version École Niedermeyer de Paris.
Angelic strings and harp for full orchestra. An arrangement The school’s focus was on
are broken by rich brasses with added violins and woodwind church music, and when
in the Sanctus. instruments was published in 1900; he left, Fauré worked in a
many musicians, however, favor succession of jobs as church
the earlier version. organist in Brittany and then
in Paris, in both places giving
Serenity and calm private music lessons to
A prayer to Jesus, the Pie The music of Fauré’s Requiem is supplement his income.
Jesu, is sung by a pure solo skilfully restrained, matching the In later life, Fauré became
soprano voice. themes of consolation and eternal Professor of Composition at
the Paris Conservatoire and
rest in the text. It has relatively finally its Director. Although
few loud passages, in contrast to his busy professional life left
requiems by composers such as him little time for composing,
Berlioz or Verdi. Fauré was seeking Fauré produced many short
A quiet melody sung by a style that differed both from the piano pieces, notable chamber
tenors switches to the more dramatic, Romantic approach music, including two piano
intense Agnus Dei.
of composers such as Wagner in quartets and two piano
Germany, and the lyrical bel canto quintets, two orchestral
style of choral writing, then popular suites, many fine songs, and
in France, with its emphasis on a a string quartet completed in
1924, the year he died. By this
Libera Me is a pensive singer’s virtuosity. His is more time highly acclaimed, Fauré
then fierce section dealing carefully balanced, with subtle was given a state funeral.
with judgment. changes in harmony and dynamics.
Although the work was not
immediately well received, Fauré Other key works
opened new avenues for French
music, paving the way for later 1879–1883 Piano Quartet
In the In paradisum, French composers, such as Ravel No. 1 in C minor, Op. 15
1894 “La bonne chanson”, Op. 61
soprano voices bring a and Debussy. Fauré’s is now one 1919 Masques et
tranquil conclusion. of the most popular settings of the bergamasques, Op. 112
Requiem in the choral repertoire. ■

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