This disc is part of a series of FaurÃ©'s complete piano music and contains two works better known in orchestral form with some less well known originals. The four pieces from PellÃ©as et MÃ©lisande in their original version are some of the most subtle of the composer's music written for the stage. The opening PrÃ©lude sets the scene and introduces themes representing the naivety of the heroine and the passion she is unable to escape. This is followed by a Fileuse, the introduction to Act 3 where MÃ©lisande is at her spinning wheel. The Sicilienne, introduction to the fountain scene of Act 2, is the one part of the suite FaurÃ© composed some years earlier and scored himself for sextet. Finally, La mort de MÃ©lisande (The Death of MÃ©lisande) is an intense parallel to the heroine's music in the PrÃ©lude, portraying her Act 5 death scene. The Pavane was orchestrated at a later date and the original version for piano of this well-known piece shows that the simple archaic melody should be played at a faster speed than is the case with the orchestral or choral versions. The four Valses-caprices are not a cycle. The two earlier pieces were written in the early 1880s, the later pair a decade later. Although Saint-SaÃ«ns enjoyed Opp. 30 and 38. Their indebtedness to Chopin and their attempt at capriciousness does not suit FaurÃ©'s introverted nature. The later pieces are more successful and. #despite retaining traces of the virtuoso style, are more introspective, nearer to the true nature of the composer. The Mazurka hints again at a tribute to Chopin, but shows no debts to Polish folk rhythms. Similar in style to the Valses Caprices, it has a haunting central slow section.

Tracklist:

Mazurka Op.32
Pavane Op.50
Prelude
Fileuse
Sicilienne
La Mort De Melisande
Valse-Caprice Op.30
Valse-Caprice Op.38
Valse-Caprice Op.59
Valse-Caprice Op.62

UPC: 730099474122
Label: Naxos
Release Date: 1.25.00
Format: CD

Pierre-Alain Volondat - Piano Music: Mazurka Op 32 / Pavane Op 50 (CD)