Angela Hewitt - Gabriel Faure Piano Music (2013)

Prohibitive · Jun 13, 2022

For many listeners, the keyboard works of Gabriel Faur? epitomize French music of the fin de si?cle, typically because its languorous melodies and subtle harmonies are at times evocative of late Romantic parlor music. Yet Angela Hewitt defends Faur?'s piano music from such a superficial judgment, demonstrating that it is much more substantial in content than the conventional piano pieces of the time, and that the difficulties one encounters in his music are akin to the complexities in Bach. Hewitt's polished performances of the Th?me et variations, two Valses-caprices, three Nocturnes, and the Ballade are proof of her longtime commitment to this music, and her penetrating insights into Faur?'s expressions and technical artistry reveal levels of inventiveness that are often missed in less competent performances. Of course, having played Faur? for most of her life, Hewitt has intimate knowledge of the music, and her sensitivity and control communicate precisely the effects she wishes, so the music never seems sloppily sentimental or vaguely sketched. Instead, one is reminded at times of her crisp interpretations of Bach, especially at points where the chromatic counterpoint and cadences almost approach Baroque style. But Hewitt lets the music have full expression, so the emotions and colors that Faur? intended come across with poetic elegance, and Hewitt proves herself a true authority on this composer's music. Highly recommended.

Review by Blair Sanderson, Allmusic.com

Take a French composer with a contrapuntal bent, whose music requires a rigour, poise and nuance akin to that of a ballet dancer. Then choose a pianist, such as Angela Hewitt, whose feel for all these qualities is a given. The result is an exquisite Faur? recital.

Hewitt has framed this selection with Faur?'s two most substantial solo piano pieces: first, the Th?me et variations, whose inspiration is Schumann's Etudes symphoniques - though ultimately, having worked through a wide spectrum of light-fingered shades, Faur? chooses a reflective and almost pious coda. Last is the solo version of the early Ballade; and in between, the two flirtatious Valse-caprices plus three of the most substantial Nocturnes.

Faur? was influenced by early church music, and his works are permeated by modal inflections and the intertwining of contrapuntal voices. Seductive charm and deep yet veiled sensuality create an elusive soundworld where heart-on-sleeve sentiment would do serious damage.

Hewitt's clarity, though, is exemplary. The purity and strong, supple backbone of her playing lets Faur?'s inventive genius, his extraordinary sensitivity to colour, harmonic shading, texture and eloquence, shine on its own terms. This is evident in the high spirits of the first Valse-caprice, and the tragic oration of the Nocturne No. 13.

Above all, though, Hewitt can draw us into Faur?'s unique bubble and simply envelop us in his cool, self-sufficient gorgeousness without necessarily giving a thought to any of the above.

Review by Jessica Duchen, BBC Music Magazine

Recording Date:
August 11, 2012 - August 14, 2012
Recording Location:
Jesus-Christus-Kirche, Berlin

Tracklist:

Gabriel Faur? (1845-1924)

Theme & Variations, Op. 73

01. Theme (1:58)
02. Var. 1: L'istesso tempo (0:58)
03. Var. 2: Piu mosso (0:53)
04. Var. 3: Un poco piu mosso (0:48)
05. Var. 4: L'istesso tempo (1:25)
06. Var. 5: Un poco piu mosso (0:48)
07. Var. 6: Molto adagio (1:50)
08. Var. 7: Allegro moderato (0:52)
09. Var. 8: Andante molto moderato (1:28)
10. Var. 9: Quasi adagio (1:17)
11. Var. 10: Allegro vivo (1:16)
12. Var. 11: Andante molto, moderato espressivo (2:47)

13. Valse-caprice No.1 in A major, Op. 30 (7:22)
14. Valse-caprice No.2 in D flat major, Op. 38 (7:43)

15. Nocturne No.5 in B flat major, Op. 37 (8:35)
16. Nocturne No.6 in D flat major, Op. 63 (9:12)
17. Nocturne No.13 in B minor, Op. 119 (8:29)

18. Ballade pour piano seul, Op. 19 (15:07)

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Angela Hewitt - Gabriel Faure Piano Music (2013)

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