Gabriel Fauré (1845–1924) was a French composer, organist, pianist, and teacher whose musical creations were pivotal in the transition from the Romantic style of the late 19th century to the modernist music of the 20th century. He was one of the foremost French composers of his generation, and his musical style influenced many 20th-century composers.

Born in Pamiers, Ariège, Fauré was an early developer of the French art song, or "mélodie," as a musical form. He attended the École Niedermeyer music college in Paris, and his teachers included the renowned Camille Saint-Saëns, who recognized his talent early on. Fauré's compositional style evolved throughout his career; his early works do carry the hallmarks of the Romantic era, while his later pieces show a complex, more abstract and sometimes austere manner, anticipating trends in 20th-century music. His best-known compositions include the nocturnes for piano, the Élégie for cello and piano, the Requiem, Op. 48, the Pavane, Op. 50, and the songs "Après un rêve" and "Les berceaux," among others. Fauré was also a respected teacher, with Maurice Ravel and Nadia Boulanger among his pupils. His impact on French music was profound, as he notably served as the director of the Paris Conservatoire from 1905 to 1920. Despite suffering from hearing loss in his later years, Fauré continued to compose masterful music, leaving an indelible mark on the classical music canon.

Genres

Classical

Post-romantic Era

Related Artists

Claude Debussy

Erik Satie

Maurice Ravel

Camille Saint-Saëns

Francis Poulenc

Lili Boulanger

Reynaldo Hahn

Jules Massenet

Olivier Messiaen

César Franck

Edvard Grieg

Cécile Chaminade

Latest Release

Sicilienne, Op. 78

Gabriel Fauré•

Yo-Yo Ma•

Kathryn Stott

Single - Released September 13, 2024