Germaine Thyssens-Valentin plays Fauré 9 Préludes opus 103

[@philfierebrace]

Elle était ma grand-mère. Elle avait un toucher exceptionnel qu'elle avait appris à force de travail et une très grande sensibilité, un coeur en or.

[@jeandavid222]

Sans doute la plus grande interprétation - et également la plus magistrale leçon - qui soit de ces extraordinaires Préludes. Quelle remarquable et rare artiste.

[@robertsmailes1802]

This is music that has been well described as perhaps the most profound and elusive of all piano music. The third less so, maybe, but even so these are great performances. Late Faure takes some time to appreciate but once on board there's no turning back. These scores offer a lifetime of musical wallowing, especially if you play them yourself, in which case take the time to discover their inner voices. This means, in some instances, playing at a slower rubato, an action which Faure might not have appreciated but which brings out perfectly the inarticulate agony of no. 7 and the desperately sad conclusion of no. 2. The eighth could almost be by Nielsen. ,

[@joelkatz8729]

This is profoundly satisfying playing. She brings out the sonorous heart of Fauré, with deep espressivity, but without indulgence. The rubato is all based on the singing line.

[@philfierebrace]

Une anecdote: Quand elle eut la cinquantaine, ayant pratiquement terminé d'élever ses 5 enfants, elle décida de reprendre une carrière. Elle alla chez Max Eschig, le plus grand vendeur de partitions à l'époque , rue de Rome à Paris. Elle entra et dit "donnez-moi toute l'oeuvre pour piano de Fauré!". Elle ressortit donc de cette boutique bien chargée et se dit: "je me donne 1 an pour reprendre la carrière" (après avoir arrêté 30 ans pour élever ses 5 enfants). 1 an plus tard elle jouait un concerto de Mozart au festival de Salzbourg là encore avec une qualité de toucher inouie. Il existe un enregistrement de ce concerto je crois aux éditions testament. Une personne donc unique et un tempérament de feu. Je l'ai bien connue puisque c'était ma grand-mère et que toute sa fin de vie ma femme et moi avons été très proche d'elle.

[@pianopera]

Thanks for this very interesting anecdote.

[@joelkatz8729]

How wonderful! You must be so proud.

[@peterlunow]

this lady surely knew how to play Faure...clarity,elegance,'sensitive but firm' and knowing how to voice each and every line

[@philfierebrace]

Yes: In his youthshe had hardly studied Harmony that's why she knew "how to voice each an every line"as you said. She was my grand-mother a delightfull lady.

[@pianopera]

Your grandmother was a great pianist indeed, I love her Fauré!

[@joelkatz8729]

Yes, she has the noble singing tone in every finger. I can’t bear the flat undifferentiated sound of modern pianists in this repertoire.

[@davidcblock]

Una interpretación magistral, encuentro casi por casualidad esta grabación, desconocía a esta pianista...

[@NOSEhow2LIV]

I can sympathise with your feeling:"directionless meandering"in some,(even much)late Fauré,and it took me AGES to start to penetrate the soul of these préludes,but thanks to the BBC and some unlikely pianists,(Borenard Robhurts, Paul Crassley...!)&many re-boredcasts,i came to love them deeply.They also have the merit of brevity.Try them late evening,and as i'm listening right now,this recording seems beautifully played,harmonically rich while still faithful to Fauré's elusive&fragile spirit.

[@NOSEhow2LIV]

I very much enjoyed this,quite strong,almost passionate playing(for late Fauré!);maybe some slight loss of mystery but more than made up for by lovely harmonic voicing and feel. The piano sound is a pleasure,difficult to imagine on most of today's instruments. Thank you so much.

[@pianopera]

Yes, the late works of Fauré are quite difficult to penetrate, but Germaine had such a natural understanding of this style! I have to thank you too, because it was on one of your channels that I heard her Fauré-playing for the first time, her beautiful recording of the Nocturnes! I am very glad that the label "Testament" reissued them on CD (and the sound quality is very good).

[@paulprocopolis]

Thankyou for the introduction to this very fine pianist who I have not come across before - I must check out those nocturne recordings. Unfortunately, even Thyssens-Valentin's splendid playing cannot convert me to Fauré's late style, much of which sounds to me like directionless meandering - my loss I'm sure!

[@OldRabit]

Simply amazing...

[@NMCM00]

Is there a CD of this pianist playing this program? I can't seem to find one.

[@philfierebrace]

Hi Yes I think there is a CD concerning this program: She has been reedited with the "Testament recording" some year ago. She was my grand-mother , an enlightned person!

[@asmith9591]

​@@philfierebrace Mme T-V est evidemment d'une brillance exceptionelle, et pourtant elle est plutot meconnue.. est-ce qu'il y aurait une biographie ou autres documents / photos/entretiens qui puissent informer le public. Elle merite d'etre reconnue! Ces enregistrements apres une absence de 30 ans sont bien miraculeux! A-t-elle continue de jouer ou d'enseigner durant son absence? Difficile d'imaginer qu'une personne au talent si enorme puisse s'isoler du milieu professionel pendant si longtemps.. Merci de votre reponse, si jamais vous lisez ce message! Excusez le manque d'accents.. Keyboard anglais.

[@SarahRoseStiles]

What is the very last image that is given ?