Gabriel Fauré’s Pavane is one of his most popular compositions. What is less known, however, is that the premiere of this stylized dance in April 1888 was actually performed in this present version with a mixed choir rather than in the now more familiar orchestral version or instrumental arrangements. The text, in the style of Verlaine, sketches the carefree society of the Belle Époque, in particular the various flirtations and dalliances of the dancers.
Based on Fauré’s autograph score, this new Carus edition reflects the original (faster) tempo marking. Supplementing the edition of the orchestral version, Carus has published a contemporary arrangement for choir and piano four hands (Carus 10.402/10).
In the audio sample, the figure humaine kammerchor under the direction of Denis Rouger performs with Olga Wien at the piano - accompanied from the piano reduction of the orchestral version (Carus 10.402/03).
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Composer
Gabriel Fauré
| 1845-1924
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Songwriter / Librettist
Robert de Montesquiou-Fezenzac
| 1855-1921