Review: Warner's Lustrous Complete Fauré Edition

[@14quijote]

Thanks for doing this review, Dave. I've been a Faure fan ever since I heard his Piano Quintets many years ago. I got the Domus release on Hyperion. I then followed up with the Piano Quartets, also by Domus. Since then, I have followed up with his piano music with Kathryn Stott. And, of course, I've heard his Requiem and other orchestral works, though I've never really delved into his songs. Anyway, I wonder if you've ever thought of doing a video of Faure Essentials like you've done with other great composers. I think this would be a great benefit for many fans of Faure, myself included.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Thanks for the suggestion. I will think about it.

[@stephenkeen2404]

The piano trios and quartets are among my favorites. I recommend the Trio Wanderer recordings. I agree that Domus is also good for the piano quartets.

[@HenrikS64]

There's a brand new recording of the Ballade and Fantaisie for piano and orchestra on Naxos, with the pianist Romain Descharmes and Malmö Opera Orchestra, conducted by Michael Halasz; it also has the Poulenc Piano Concerto and Aubade. It's a really excellent disc, very well recorded too, and I've enjoyed it very much.

[@healthrisingMECFS-FM-longCOVID]

Nice! I’ve been looking forward to this. I’m on a French binge- first the Ravel box; now finishing up the DeBussy box - coming up Faure, Saint Saens, Pierre, and Franck boxes. Really looking forward to the Faure songs. There is a book of translations of French songs that can be had. Thanks, Dave.

[@davidleeson5751]

Don't forget the Berlioz box!

[@timyork6150]

Thanks for that review, Dave. That does indeed seem a very desirable box, even though I already have recordings of many of those works in the same or other versions. Your point about the need to hurry to acquire this box is well made; it appears to be no longer on offer at Amazon's French site, hopefully temporarily? I know that you are a connoisseur of recondite repertoire and have spurred me to look into several previously unfamiliar composers as well as more deeply into some others better known, including Fauré himself. I note recent issues in France of discs of two early 20th century lady composers, namely Rita Strohl and Vitezslava Kaprlova, both of whom from French reviews sound very talented. Are you thinking of taking a look at these releases?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Yes, I am.

[@DvdAndrsn]

I've always loved Faure, and Collard's nocturnes and barcarolles are my go-to recordings. Jean-Yves Thibaudet seems to have grabbed the Golden Snitch of Greatest Living French Pianist away from him. I did a master class with Collard in my idle youth; he was a lovely man (in more ways than one).

[@alfbrendel-w9r]

Absolutely love the way you pronounce "Ray-mooond Gallois-Mont-bruuuun" Dave ! He was the (little old-fashioned) director of Paris Conservatoire till 1983. And amazed you remember (and even played with !) Annie d'Arco, my first piano teacher. She was actually a great Erato recording artist (being one of the first to record a quasi-complete Mendelssohn...). Keep on the great work !

[@charlespowell9117]

Dave congrats. on 47k subscribers---keep going like the Ever Ready Bunny!!

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Thank you.

[@bbailey7818]

P.S. in case there's any question, the Beecham Dolly Suite IS in stereo. I checked online, and texts and English translations for Chanson d'Eve, etc, are readily available, though not that I could find for the opera.

[@Iispj]

I’m so looking forward to this box! It keeps getting delayed. Had it preordered for a few months now

[@grahamcombs4752]

I pre-ordered as well. I'm now on Month Four of waiting. I even contacted Amazon, the live person was absolutely unhelpful, nice, friendly, but no information. I was hoping for Christmas. We'll see... Good luck to you as well... I am grateful for this latest review. Thank you sir. HEADS UP ON AMAZON PRE-ORDERS: Not the first time I've had this experience. I've cancelled orders before.

[@rosstwele8966]

Now that Pelleas has come up, would you please consider reviewing the new Barenboim recording of it + the Franck Symphony?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

It will be released here next week.

[@davidleeson5751]

I hesitated to buy this box, because I have the other Faure box from Erato--12 CDs of "Piano Works, Chamber Music, Orchestral & Choral Works, Requiem". I was worried that this new box would duplicate the old one, but to my relief, it mostly does not. And more Faure is more better.

[@sevenoranges]

Please do a podcast on Éric Heidsieck when you have the time. Thank you.

[@daigreatcoat44]

Thanks very much for this review. I've managed to find a copy, and ordered it. I've had recordings of most of Faure's works for some years, but this set seems not to duplicate many of the versions I have - so I'm now looking forward to this excuse to re-hear all of it. It's a great pity that texts are so rarely included in these sets. I suppose the printing costs would make the sets unviable except at a vastly increased price. I expect there's a book somewhere with the song texts: the EMI Elly Ameling set had them in French only. As for the opera and choral works - too bad, I guess.