About Fauré

By Joseph To, Artistic Director, Magnolia Chorale

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My initial introduction to Fauré was through his chansons during my time as an undergraduate at the University of Washington. From the first moment I heard the melodic, free-flowing harmonies of “Dans la forêt de Septembre” and “Mandoline”, I knew I wanted to explore more of the composer’s repertoire. Now, I have the opportunity to share the timeless beauty and depth of Fauré’s music with audiences at Magnolia Chorale’s December 2024 concert, which is dedicated to the centennial celebration of Fauré’s enduring musical artistry.
 
Born in 1845, Fauré was a pivotal French composer, organist, and teacher whose work bridged the Romantic and modern eras. Recognized early for his musical gifts, he started training at the Ecole Niedermeyer music college in Paris at age nine to become a church organist and choirmaster. After graduating, he used those skills to make a living as an organist and teacher, but his real passion was composing.
 
Fortunately, he found enough time to produce an impressive portfolio of chamber music, choral works, and piano pieces that spanned six decades. His music is easily identified by its refined, lyrical style, and daring harmonic innovations that convey an understated emotional depth.
 
His sensitivity to choral textures and liturgical traditions shaped some of his most acclaimed works—notably the Requiem and Cantique de Jean Racine, Op 11, which we will perform at our December concerts. Cantique de Jean-Racine earned Fauré first prize in a composition competition at Ecole Niedermeyer in 1865, when he was only 19. You may notice some similarities between that work and his Requiem. Composed between 1887 and 1890 Requiem reflects Fauré’s vision of death as a gentle transition.
 
His enormous talent has produced a rich repertoire of choral music, with pieces that are both musically sophisticated and spiritually uplifting, and which have inspired generations of composers and singers.
 
We look forward to inspiring our audiences this December with this sampling of some of Fauré’s greatest works.

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