In 1905, after nine years as
a professor of composition, counterpoint and fugue, Gabriel Fauré was chosen
Director of the Paris Conservatoire. According to Charles Koechlin, Fauré's
friend and biographer, "It remained difficult to modify the instrumental
repertoire. The competition pieces then in use stressed virtuosity. It would
require a revolution in the Conservatoire to accord phrasing, style, and rhythm
the importance which belonged to them - just as it would to admit music other
than established classics." But Fauré accomplished his purpose as he had always
done: with music of such utter simplicity, sincerity and freshness as to be
irresistible. The present work is a prime example. The title page of the
original manuscript bears the inscription Flute
- Concours 1898 and after the final double bar Gabriel Fauré - 14 Juillet, 1898. Bastille Day. Presumably, the
Conservatoire was closed for the holiday and the professor used his day off to
pen this little gem. In 1970, the as-yet unknown work was sold by a Brussels collector to Anabel Hulme Brieff who then published
it. (Note by Anabel Hulme Brieff)
Classical Music | Music for Flute
Gabriel Fauré
Morceau de Concours Play
Recorded on 01/29/2008, uploaded on 01/24/2009
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Morceau de Concours Gabriel Fauré
In 1905, after nine years as a professor of composition, counterpoint and fugue, Gabriel Fauré was chosen Director of the Paris Conservatoire. According to Charles Koechlin, Fauré's friend and biographer, "It remained difficult to modify the instrumental repertoire. The competition pieces then in use stressed virtuosity. It would require a revolution in the Conservatoire to accord phrasing, style, and rhythm the importance which belonged to them - just as it would to admit music other than established classics." But Fauré accomplished his purpose as he had always done: with music of such utter simplicity, sincerity and freshness as to be irresistible. The present work is a prime example. The title page of the original manuscript bears the inscription Flute - Concours 1898 and after the final double bar Gabriel Fauré - 14 Juillet, 1898. Bastille Day. Presumably, the Conservatoire was closed for the holiday and the professor used his day off to pen this little gem. In 1970, the as-yet unknown work was sold by a Brussels collector to Anabel Hulme Brieff who then published it. (Note by Anabel Hulme Brieff)
More music by Gabriel Fauré
Piano Quartet No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 45
Requiem
Après un rève
Piano Quartet in C minor, Op. 15
Impromptu No. 2 in f minor, Op. 31
Après un Rêve
Nocturne Op. 33 No. 3
Après un Rêve
Cinq melodies “de Venise”, Op. 58
Morceau de Concours
Performances by same musician(s)
Flute Sonata in G Major
Three Romances, Op. 94
Duo for Flute and Piano
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