Gabriel Fauré, Élégie Op. 24 (1880)｜Nadège Rochat, cello

Nadège Rochat plays "Elegie" Op. 24 for cello and piano by Gabriel Fauré.
I have been told very often during my studies (back then when wikipedia didn't exist) that Gabriel Fauré wrote this piece as his wife died. Even here on youtube, you will find a famous teacher stating this...
Facts are that Gabriel Fauré got married after writing the Elegy.
There is incredible sorrow in this piece, this is indisputable.
But here is what Gabriel Fauré said about his requiem (Mass for the dead): "Mon réquiem n'a été composé pour rien... pour le plaisir, si j'ose dire..." - "My requiem was composed for no particular reason... for fun if I dare say...".
This (disappointing?) statement about the requiem, and the fact that Fauré's wife didn't die before he wrote the Elegy shouldn't take away any emotion which we may feel as we perform or listen to these two sorrowful works. But I just wanted to warn you, dear public, about shortcuts. Sometimes a particular event inspires a work. But more often, we can't pin down what exactly inspired a stunning work. In the case of this Elegy, as for the requiem, I suppose that we have to live with the mystery.
Listen to the requiem:
• Video
And this is the version by Michel Corboz and the "Ensemble Vocal et Instrumental de Lausanne" which accompanied my childhood and remains my favourite:
open.spotify.com/track/4pvHvr...
To learn more about Gabriel Fauré, here is an invaluable English version of the book "Gabriel Fauré" by Charles Koechlin, which you can read online (for now!)
archive.org/details/gabrielfa...
Enjoy!

[@withjoae]

My dad once told me that this piece is like the aftermath of receiving the news of someone's death: You are angry at the beginning, then you sing the same song again, this time wistful... Then at the 'sempre molto adagio' section, you imagine that you might as well give up - that there is no life. When you reach the next 'a tempo' you are changing your style and trying to think on the bright side of things, and whistling a wayward tune. Afterwards, your thoughts spiral in all directions, fast and unstoppable before you finally reach the last repetition of the mourning keen that you were crying at the beginning. Only this time it is the loudest yet, screaming for attention and from grief. The ending is full of sadness, regret and heartache but it is in the similar style to the wayward tune a few minutes ago: it is like you are hoping that you will be able to see that 'bright side' soon, but not now... Even if Faure didn't write this after his wife died, there is so much raw emotion (which you are displaying amazingly) that this is clearly a piece of lamentation.

Beautiful, thank you for sharing 🙏

[@markbell9973]

@ Melisande, pure laine. Nadège comprend. Et elle comprend, surtout, jusqu'à quel point comment "comprendre c'est pardonner." ➡ ↪...if you can even assign extraneous words to Symbolist poetry. And much less: if you dare even attempt to describe in words Fauré's mastery of all things musical, expressed via a "heart that bleeds purple".... ... Il suffit de dire que votre jeu ici, Nadège, m'a attéré. "Melisande." Détenteur de nos désirs les plus légitimes. Et puis la tentative... Finalement poignardés trois fois; comme rituellement. Je reste bouche-bée. Il faut écouter Bach. Le choeur d'ouverture de "Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern" par la Bachstiftung CH. Et oui, voilà. Mark (usa)

[@heather1802]

My cello teacher gave a similar interpretation, he said that at the end even the happy wayward tune has turned sour as it has gone to the relative minor: the memories of the good times can no longer be thought about without sadness. Such a beautiful piece, and beautifully played, thank you.

[@andv993]

An elegie in poetry is actually a poem that talks about someone dead. So yeah, this is exactly that

[@zoeylong3141]

Fauré actually wrote this piece for his friend’s death!

[@HennerZeller]

When my father died somewhat suddenly last year, this is the piece I selected for the service. He and I both love the cello. I was too overwhelmed at the time to practice, but I'll perform it on his cello for his upcoming birthday that he won't be able to attend in person :( Thanks for your moving rendition. You bring out the core of this piece; I am in a paddle of tears every time I am listening to it. Thank you.

Thank you Henner for this moving message, I imagine that this is what I love about music, it connects the human beings through shred emotions. I am sorry about your dad, and wish you all the best.

[@angiekrajewski6419]

It is very painful when a loved one leaves earth!! But never leaves the one’s he or she loves.. there are sooo many things to say and understand about our departures ! Cause everyone of us will leave this earth without taking with him or her a single possession except their feelings of love and what they have learned on themselves and others..

[@Divisionist]

It’s wonderful to hear you actually play real Pianissimos that are full of energy and dare I say a glimmer of hope. ❤️

Thank you Scott!! 🙏🎶

[@CocoAzoitei]

I second this! The perfect bar 6 ❤ and an even better bar 18! 🙌🏻

[@andreasardi1977]

Una interpretazioni meravigliosa, sentita, profonda. Complimenti!!

[@kenelliott8562]

As both a cellist and a pianist . . . This was well done! Well phrased. Voicing superb. I love how the piano gets out of the way of the cello when the cello has the melody. Excellent tempo. Intonation, vibrato, all excellent. I was not expecting something so good and was very pleasantly surprised! Pianist did a fantastic job of bringing out the important inner melodies without being overpowering. BRAVO!!!!

[@jalenpeterson5966]

4:30-438 and that kids is precisely why it's so important to practice our scales!!

😉

[@ezra211]

Hahaha, Well said.

[@brendae.villalobos7077]

This works as music therapy for me. Long ago when I was a high school student I could never figure out why I was always so good at the cello. I never thought that I was playing my emotions out. Now that I'm older I am just realized that I was just trying to deal with my trauma. And picking up the cello helped me release tension. Love this.

Thank you for sharing Brenda 🙏💕

[@bugatti103]

music helps.... the "vibrations", and good ones attract other good ones. as a Reiki healer as i got more into this realised this is all going on.

[@CocoAzoitei]

I came to this because my 11 yr old son’s cello teacher set it for him (I’m a professional violinist and was dreaming of the day he would play it! I accompany him on the piano). This quickly became our favourite version because of the fantastic control and lack of over-sentimentality which actually makes it hit all the more emotionally because the music speaks for itself and it’s real. Then, two days ago we heard that my son’s teacher, Michal Kaznowski (cellist of the Maggini Quartet) has passed away and we are devastated. I will help him finish learning it and now we play it for him. 😢 RIP Michał

[@corinnealice2978]

oh my god the part at 4:35 is absolutely gorgeous. i honestly can’t even accurately describe how that part makes me feel it’s just soooooooo beautiful

🙏🙏

[@mikeuy5450]

The last six inches of the bow is a dagger to the heart. -Benjamin Zander

[@DYNAMITEDORK]

WOW!!!!! An absolute fan over here!!!!

[@SimonIsaCello]

This piece is so beautiful, great playing, and I would like to point out how unique that cello is with the angles on it!

[@bpdarragh]

There is something about the French and cello that produces the most wonderful music, Poulenc is another favourite

[@ginetteperrin1467]

Magnifique, je l'ai entendue aujourd'hui lorsque les jeunes ont dansé sur la glace avec cette élégie lors des jo de Pékin, et cette musique est un enchantement. Merci à Gabriel Fauré.

Merci Ginette 🙏

[@vyashale6134]

This piece hits me right in the heart.

🙏 It is also one of my favourite of all pieces for cello and piano

[@briannaramirez9375]

Such a beautiful performance! I also love the angels on the cello!

Thanks Brianna :) the cello is called Ex Vatican Strad you can read about it here en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ex_Vatican_Stradivarius

[@helaynabaer9564]

@ incroyable! quelle une belle violoncelle

[@user-eg4ep2gm7p]

I also love the angels on the cello

[@Liana-ku1vb]

Wow so wonderful performance! I am now sixteen and have played cello for five years now. I'm so exited that my teacher said that she can now teach me this piece of music.

Thanks Linsku, I wish you lots of fun learning this piece!

[@carloshumphrey1]

I can't stop watching/listening this video. It is such a great performance by two young musicians. Malgorzata Garstka, does also a great job at the piano.

[@jimboogle]

Both these young ladies have so much soul. They do a musical giant the justice his genius deserves 🙏

Thank you Jim 🙏🙏

[@meganlam4149]

This is the best version of this piece on youtube !!

Thanks Megan 🙏🎻

[@meganlam4149]

Nadège Rochat I have just perform this piece this morning and thank you soooo much for replying

[@beegee80]

That cello is absolutely stunning.

[@Leo-tm6sk]

Magnifique. Mon compositeur favoris et mes 2 instruments préférés 🤩✨✨✨

[@keldherbst]

Fauré is definitely one of my many classical favorites. Beautiful performance, Nadège. Thank you

[@hellomyfriends9740]

Favorite song by faure. This was a great watch.

Thanks 🙏🙂

[@lafemmesanspseudo7840]

I must have watched it a hundred times since yesterday. I especially enjoy the flight from 4.30 on. Beautiful, thank you ! And very nice instrument !

Thank you 🙏🙏

[@catherinemoreau3856]

C'est beau à en pleurer ! Je n'ai pas les mots pour dire ce que je ressens quand j'écoute ce morceau ! C'est juste... magnifique et triste à la fois !

Merci Catherine 🙏🙏

[@ashwinrebbapragada7626]

I like the rich tone and soulful interpretation. Thanks for the lovely performance.

[@andreadou1600]

She made cello cry

[@eytonshalomsandiego]

beautifully played! thank you...O! Faure! such beautiful gifts he left us...

[@chizobapeters9793]

Beautiful. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve listened to this. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

I'm happy that you like it Chizoba 🙂🙏

[@simplymushroom9355]

I am working on this piece and just cannot get the emotion work like you did here. Well done.

Thank you 🙏🙏

[@user-eg4ep2gm7p]

I researched what elegie means and that is how I found out it is a sad piece with sad emotion.

[@chloehanson3851]

This is the most beautiful rendition of the piece I have ever heard. You are definitely one of my new cello role models now 😊. Thank you for this, you brightened my entire week! I am learning this piece right now and you inspired me to keep pushing the boundaries of sound and dynamics.

Thank you Chloe! Enjoy the practice 🙂 if you would like any tips, you are welcome to PM me using the contact formular on my website.

[@rachellewis6641]

I must agree.

[@jeguemagico7511]

I just love this piece, It's so mellancolic and kind of tell us a sad story. I love how it's possible to easily understand this story just with notes and emotion

It is exactly why this is one of my favourite work, it tells so much in a short time 🙏🙏🎶

[@BradHollowniczky]

This is amongst my favorite pieces by Faure, who is also on my short list of favorite composers. Your interpretation is exquisite. You manage to coax and tease out of it every ounce of the profound beauty and emotion Faure put in. It's an extraordinary performance that speaks directly to my heart, and now whenever I wish to listen to the Elegie I find that yours is the version I want to hear. Thank you for this wonderful gift. 🙏

Thank you B Lyndon for your kind and encouraging comment 🙏🙂

[@charlescreange9059]

Très belle interprétation pleine de puissance et de nostalgie. Une respiration parfaite entre le piano et le violoncelle. Beaucoup d'espace, d'interiorité et de passion. Bravo.

Merci Charles 🙏

[@thesadiestorm]

this was a beautiful rendition of this piece- thank you for it!

happy you liked it!

[@SpongeChloe1498]

Out of every version of the piece I’ve seen on KZbin your one has got to be the best! So talented

Thank you Vincent 🙏🙏

[@goodhistory1]

Got here after searching "Faure," who I'd never heard of. I'm an amateur with classical music, mostly listen to Tchaikovsky, and did a search on "melodic composers" and one lady in a chat mentioned Faure offhand. Of the 20 or so I've sampled, I like him best with Tchaikovsky. And this is the best version I've found of the Elegy.

Thank you Dean I'm happy that Fauré came your way 🙂 he is also one of my favourite composers and especially this piece is very close to my heart. It is worth listening to his requiem too (especially the last piece Im paradisum), his Berceuse, and his trio. Enjoy!

[@goodhistory1]

@ Wow. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pISciGt4o7uYjK8

[@Bannerkim1]

Enjoyable to hear. Your cello is also quite a piece of artwork. I love this piece with all the phrases and emotions that go with the composition.

[@persnicketypony209]

Absolutely love this piece. I learned it four years ago and I adore your playing of it, gives me chills still!

Thank you! I continue to love this piece too, after all these years 💜

[@rwv3n]

such interesting fact about the piece in the description! you played it beautifully, bravo!

[@zaroffhound]

Delightful warm playing, and the tone of the lighting was suitable too...harsh lights on the player, the wood, can overwhelm with brightness.

Thanks Zaroff I'm happy you like the intimate lightings, it feels better with less direct spots 🙂 🙏

[@andreasardi1977]

Una interpretazioni meravigliosa, sentita, profonda. Complimenti!!

[@Jayvyn-sz1sx]

Wow, this is amazing. I'm learning this piece for a competition in a few months and this is my favorite recording so far.

Thanks Jay 🙏🙂

[@nickcastle9201]

Excellent, très émouvant, une très subtile sensibilité ! Bravo et merci.

[@JJProfVideo]

Wow! Beautiful, exquisite presentation by both artists. Delicate, precise, passionate, mournful... just magnificent!🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thank you 🙏

[@polenc7167]

Yes, emotion and composers' alleged feeling while writing. This whole thing is a myth. A composer may feel anything at all related to the emotional impression of a piece he or she is writing. In fact, Tschaikovsky wrote extensively about this topic. Firstly, he said that he had no idea why a particular piece seemed to evoke a particular emotion. It is well known that when he wrote the deeply tragic final movement of the Pathetique his friends observed him to be the happiest they had ever seen him. Things are not always what they seem. This is a deeply moving experience. Thank you so much.

Thank you Daniel, and I am happy that you agree 🙂🎶

[@polenc7167]

​@UCuFzdt_i1rgcXCgPIn-XUIQ Thanks for your very prompt response. I thought of another mismatch between a composer's feeling and the feeling evoked by the music. It is the famous intermezzo to Cavaleria Rustica. To paraphrase he said when asked: I thought it would be fun to write and when I did I had a lot of fun just writing it. Now this piece is so serious and reverent. What a contradiction!

[@javiervivanco919]

Ces’t un délice votre interpretación. Merci/ the pianist est aussi magnifique

Merci Javier !

[@theeab1993]

I’ve been reading Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment. I’m almost finished with the novel, but even at this point it’s clearly the best thing I’ve read up to this point in my life. Transformative reading is what I might call it. While reading the novel, I can’t help but think of this song. It’s become the theme to the novel in my mind. It’s almost eerie how well the song’s mood matches up with that of the novel. Thank you for this hauntingly beautiful music.

Thanks Theeab for sharing, I think thatbit goes wonderfully with Crime and Punishment, you are absolutely right!

[@HidekazuOki]

Nadège, this is so beautiful!! Thanks so much for sharing!

Thanks Hidekazu!

[@afsg2410]

This is a wonderful, touching performance! And not sappy at all, like so many performances, thank you!

[@Saturne84]

La musique de Fauré est magnifique, mais là, on atteint au merveilleux avec une artiste au violoncelle qui est tout simplement sublime. Elle est belle, ses gestes sont d’une grande beauté, et dès les deux premières mesures le charme me saisit… il faut que je revienne au début pour ne plus me séparer de Nadège. Tomber amoureux de cette musique, sans aucun doute, mais aussi sans aucune honte de Nadège. Le matin, je suis avec elle, et le soir elle m’enchante de la musique et de son violoncelle. Toute mon admiration Nadège…à ce soir…. P. R.

🙏merci

[@Sergio200969]

I love Faure Elegie thank you😍

🙏🙂

[@jeanpierrebrugeron8150]

Tout simplement MAGNIFIQUE. Tout en sensibilité et en émotion. Bravo! Et Merci

Merci Jean-Pierre 🙏

[@wood-side-story]

Learning this piece at the moment, and using your gorgeous interpretation as reference ❤

[@cha_mzzn5690]

I'm accompanying a friend on this piece for an exam in March and it's one of the most beautiful pieces ever! Amazing interpretation, thank you!

Thanks StrawB 🙏🙂

[@bosevertjan5986]

excellent excellent

[@user-ot1kw5de7y]

Bravo❤❤❤🤗

[@aysaraktimur2064]

Nadège, hi… Fauré’s exquisitely beautiful Elègie has been in my ears for some time, and eventually I came here, again, after so long time, and listened to this beautiful music, and your sensitive performance. It was a delight on this beautiful Sunday morning. Thank you and to Malgorzata so much for this delight. 🌹❤️🌹

[@RedBlueChilloutman]

such a beautiful song! it is a pleasure listening to you two! thanks for sharing this video...

🙏🙏 🙂

[@cellosnake]

Amazing! So great interpretation and beautiful sound

Thank you Diego

[@aysaraktimur2064]

Nadège, salut… 🤗 La magnifique Elègie de Fauré est dans mes oreilles depuis un certain temps, et finalement je suis revenue ici, après si longtemps, et j'ai écouté cette belle musique et votre interprétation sensible. C'était un délice en ce beau dimanche matin. Merci beaucoup à toi et à Malgorzata pour ce délice. 🌹❤️🌹

[@gustavocarnazzoli427]

Wonderfully playing 👏👏

thank you 🙏

[@julienbencze]

I was working, fully concentrated, when suddenly I stopped because of the beauty of that passage, from 1:09 to 1:36, in which after low note chromatic movements on the piano and anxious wandering from the cello, both land softly on the relative major E flat. It's so beautiful :-)

Glad this music speaks to you too :) 🙏

[@random1891]

Learning this piece at the moment it’s beautiful

[@jamesbarrington4729]

...💐👌🙏👏🧚‍♀️📹🎧... exquisite video.. Compliment all involved.. so when is the next one..😊..

[@martinshaw2529]

So beautiful - many thanks.

Thank you Martin 🙏

[@Dm64600]

Gabriel. It’s my son’s Christian name and it was given after Gabriel Fauré whose music is so délicate. There is no other requiem but Fauré’s. Here, I am amazed and stunned by the Way these 2 young women perform this piece. Absolutely brilliant.

[@shin-i-chikozima]

This magnificent performance she plays with exquisite skill and incomparable technique and beautiful attire is beyond description , and full of admiration and emotion , and comfortable to the ear and the mind

Thank you Shin-i-chi 🙏

[@shin-i-chikozima]

@ You are welcome Good luck ！ Go for it

[@cellogangthere9903]

I love this piece. Fantastic and emotional playing!

Thank you 🙏🙏

[@doalma8162]

This is, honestly, the most wonderful, beautiful cello performance that I heard so far. Thanks you for your hard work to get such skillful!

Thank you Do Alma 🙏 I am very happy that you precieve it that way, it is very encouraging :)

[@doalma8162]

@ Me too Nadège, I just found some information and high-quality pictures of the painting on this cello. When I first saw you playing it, I was so impressed by the way it look and how heart-broken it sound, and then now I findout it was a stunning treasure. I'm happy that I can encourage you, I was a painter but can play violin and piano, I experience sometimes practice seem so overwhelming ;). But look how amazing performance you have done! Please keep moving forward, you will be the master someday for sure!

[@maggiecello5784]

Amazing performance!

Thanks Maggie 🙏

[@lmz-fk3qv]

Very Good!😀😁❤

[@nigelbartram8378]

Wonderful interpretation Thank you .. helping my practice

Thank you Nigel

[@jaydabliu9112]

Superb, magnificent musicians. Than you.

Thank you Jay :)

[@sbell9889]

Just wonderful playing!

Thank you

[@norviacedillomilad8137]

Thanks for posting such a beautiful music which my heart feels the pain in the beginning, the hopeful middle part and the serenity and acceptance at the end part. I am a cello music lover. Bravo for you both madame and your assisting pianist!

Thank you Norvi for this nice comment, I am happy you like it 🎶

[@kerguirec]

On distingue des anges sur votre violoncelle. Je comprends mieux maintenant l'expression "être aux anges..." car je devine dans quel état d'extase ils sont mis grâce à votre sonorité superbe

Merci 🙏🙏

[@user-db9uy5ny5w]

thank you for playing this beautiful piece, i'm playing this piece right now and i've really been struggling to play with emotions on the cello and how you played this piece has encouraged me

Thanks Arielle 🙏🙏

[@kellyb.johnson5300]

Freakin' awesome. I love the moment of intense possession by the music.

[@GiaMeziridis]

Very tender performance, Brava!

Thank you Gia 🙏

[@wood-side-story]

Sublime ✨🙌👏. La plus belle interpretation de​ ce chef d'oeuvre. Je travaille sur cette piece et vous etes une source d inspiration inegalee ❤

[@mimosa30]

Bravo!

[@beucorona2170]

This is the best version I've ever heard. Thank you so much for your passion.

Thanks Beu! 🙏🙏

[@Tasneem_ino]

Beautiful rendition ❤️❤️❤️❤️😩😩😩😩😩😩🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Thanks Naiomi! 🙏🙏🙏

[@garykattnerjr7708]

How many of y’all came here after watching Benjamin Zander’s master class on this piece!!? Lol. Absolutely beautiful playing! I’m working on arranging this one for Baritone saxophone…. So haunting!!

Hi! Good luck with the arrangement, hope you are enjoying the piece!

[@Jesus-oi7yb]

me encanta tu interpretación de elegie ♥

Gracias Jesus 🙏

[@defipepe]

Hermoso!

[@extanegautham8950]

Hi Nadege, i just found you. this is beautiful. I agree. Artists dont need specific events to write emotionally compelling music; that's why they are artists and not accountants or businesswomen. Esp someone like Faure....thanks for the links....I love a Faure Requiem conducted by Charles Dutoit and Montreal, from the early 80's....Merci a vous!

Charles Dutoit is incredible! I haven't heard this version but will look for it. Thank you for your message 🙏🙂

[@extanegautham8950]

@ Here's a link, if i want to cry this is what i play....and its got some great additional stuff like the Pavane and Melisand et Peleas..www.amazon.com/Faure-Requiem-Pelleas-Melisande-Pavane/dp/B0000041UE p.s. i love your Cassado! and i just listened to the Asturianas, which i know really well from the Victoria de Los Angeles recording i grew up with in the 60's....which i love; but the opening notes of the cello just made me burst into tears....bravo! you guys bring out a melancholia in the piece, whereas hers i always heard as haunting...maybe too b/c of the piano next to her....thanks again, i look forward to more music!..

[@michaelzhouchingchong]

Amazing! This is what I’m using to practice 😀

Happy to hear 🙂

[@alessandroceraudo568]

Suono bellissimo, grande intensità ed espressività, bravissima..

Grazie Alessandro!

[@user-ot1kw5de7y]

❤️❤️❤️ from 🇦🇲

[@meaarniot7687]

Thank you ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

🙏🙏🎶

[@koen4291]

absolutely beautiful! you touched my heart❤

Thanks Koen!

[@heathermcdougall8023]

Faure wrote this piece shortly after , his beloved wife died. Every decent cellist should know this , and play it accordingly.

@@heathermcdougall8023 he got married with Marie Frémet 3 years after writing this piece, and she outlived him...

[@carlorulo]

I am playing this score and I carry a tempo molto adagio. At this tempo, I am having a hard time keeping the rhythm in the faster parts, but in these parts you go very fast. Thanks to you, I manage to want to study to get a perfect work. Regards 😜

Thank you Carlos! One thing which is always helpful in finding the right tempo, is to look at the time signature. In this piece, it is 4/4 and the feeling of Adagio should be in the tempo of a crochet, I think, not in the quavers, to keep a feeling of 4 beats in the bar, and not 8. I hope this helps 🙂 good luck and good fun learning it! 🎶💪🏻

[@carlorulo]

@ Gracias chiqui! 😉

[@bugatti103]

Bravo! well played not heard this before

[@ElosoDelacueva-ge2qw]

Maravillosa, que gusto encontrar tanto virtuosismo, mis mejores deseos de éxitos desde Colombia

Gracias 🙏🙏🙂

[@matthieumoussiegt]

what a great french composer ! As french people I am really proud of the work done for this song ! I learn piano in a formation center that bears its name and really enjoy also its canticum to john Racine and its pavana

Yes! I am French too 😉 and love the quantique de Racine and Pavane!

[@cesardanielgarciaortiz6121]

Bellísimo! I love it.

🙏

[@user-eg4ep2gm7p]

This really helps for me (I’m learning this piece)😁

[@craigflowers9252]

My favorite!!! Happy Thanksgiving Nadege

Thank you Craig!