Gabriel Fauré (1845–1924): A Profile

Featuring the Sicilienne, recorded by Eileen Gilligan (flute) and Maree Kilpatrick (piano)

Introduction

Gabriel Fauré stands as one of the most influential French composers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His music—refined, lyrical, and harmonically innovative—bridges Romanticism and Impressionism, shaping the musical language of generations to come. This profile provides an accessible outline of his life, the story behind his beloved Sicilienne, and a collection of exceptional recordings that showcase the elegance, clarity, and expressive restraint characteristic of Fauré’s style.

Fauré’s Early Life and Musical Roots

Born in 1845 in Pamiers, France, Fauré’s musical journey began in the world of church music. He trained at the prestigious Niedermeyer School of Religious Music in Paris, where he studied organ, composition, fugue, and counterpoint.

A formative influence during his schooling was Camille Saint‑Saëns, who expanded Fauré’s musical horizons with exposure to the works of Schumann, Liszt, and Wagner—composers whose innovations left a lasting imprint on Fauré’s style.

After graduating with top prizes, Fauré became a regular at Saint‑Saëns’s salon, an artistic hub in Paris where he met leading composers and intellectuals including Lalo, d’Indy, Duparc, Chabrier, Gounod, Flaubert, and Anton Rubinstein.

Early Works and Artistic Development

Fauré’s early creative output included large-scale works such as two symphonies and a violin concerto, demonstrating his ambition and versatility.

His first published composition, Trois romances sans paroles (1863), is a delicate piano work showcasing his gift for lyrical melody.

Another early gem, Après un rêve (c. 1865), remains one of his most beloved mélodies. The piece exists in numerous superb recordings, several of which are linked later in this article.

A Prolific Composer of Songs and Instrumental Works

Fauré wrote more than 100 songs, including the radiant Les Roses d’Ispahan and vocal cycles such as La Bonne Chanson and L’Horizon chimérique.

His contributions to the piano repertoire—13 nocturnes, 13 barcarolles, and 5 impromptus—are celebrated for their refinement and harmonic sophistication rather than virtuosity for its own sake.

Fauré also produced important chamber music, including sonatas for violin and cello, the celebrated Élégie, and the Ballade for piano and orchestra.

His incidental music for Maeterlinck’s Pelléas et Mélisande (1898) contains one of his most enduring orchestral melodies—the Sicilienne.

Background of the Sicilienne, Op. 78

The Sicilienne originated as part of the incidental music to Pelléas et Mélisande, though it quickly found life as an independent concert piece. Its graceful 6/8 lilt, warm harmonies, and charming melodic line have made it one of Fauré’s most recognisable works.

For flautists, the Sicilienne offers a perfect example of French lyrical style—requiring purity of tone, delicate shading, and poised phrasing rather than overt emotional excess.

The flute and piano arrangement recorded by Eileen Gilligan captures this understated elegance beautifully, making it ideal for both study and enjoyment.

The Morceau de Concours and Fauré’s Aesthetic

Another important work for flautists, Morceau de Concours, was written as a sight‑reading test for the Paris Conservatoire. Originally intended as a single unaccompanied melodic line, it was later published with the melody repeated.

This piece reflects Fauré’s resistance to the flamboyant virtuoso style dominating flute repertoire at the time. Instead, he preferred simplicity, clarity, and expressive purity—qualities that also define the Sicilienne.

Inspirational Listening: Curated Links

For Flute Enthusiasts

 Faure Sicilienne – Jean-Pierre Rampal

Vocal Interpretations of Fauré

• • Après un rêve – Orchestral version (cello)

Orchestral and Dramatic Works

Pelléas et Mélisande – Prelude

Conclusion

Fauré’s music—elegant, introspective, and exquisitely crafted—continues to inspire musicians and listeners worldwide. The Sicilienne remains one of his most cherished pieces, especially among flautists, and recordings like those by Eileen Gilligan illuminate its simplicity, poise, and quiet beauty.