Gabriel Faure

by Jessica Duchen

This is a comprehensive biography of the French composer Gabriel Faure for the general reader, placing his work in the context of his times.

Genres: Music, Biography, France

238 pages, Paperback

First published January 5, 2000

About the author

Jessica is a music journalist, author and librettist. She contributes to the Sunday Times, the I News and BBC Music Magazine, among others, and was formerly with the Independent for 12 years.

Her latest novel 'Immortal' tells the (probably) true story behind Beethoven's famous 'Immortal Beloved' letter, exploring a tragic secret that was long concealed. "A revelation" (Daniel Hope, president of the Beethoven-Haus, Bonn).

'Ghost Variations' is based on the bizarre discovery of the suppressed Schumann Violin Concerto in the 1930s, with the great violinist Jelly d'Arányi as its heroine. "A thrilling read" (John Suchet, The Daily Mail).

Earlier novels focus on tensions between family generations, including the story of a child prodigy pianist ('Alicia's Gift') and the long-term effects of displacement and cultural clashes ('Hungarian Dances').

Jessica's librettos for composer Roxanna Panufnik include two operas commissioned by Garsington: 'Silver Birch', which was shortlisted for an International Opera Award in 2018, and 'Dalia', which won an Excellence in Music Theatre Education award in 2023. Among other pieces are 'Across the Line of Dreams' for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Chorus with conductors Marin Alsop and Valentina Peleggi, and a new song cycle, 'Gallery of Memories', which was premiered in Presteigne and Oxford festivals in 2023. More librettos include two youth operas based on Oscar Wilde stories: 'The Happy Princess' with composer Paul Fincham and 'The Selfish Giant' with John Barber.

Jessica creates and presents concert dramas and narrated concerts, with numerous appearances at festivals around the UK, France and Australia. Her non-fiction books include biographies of the composers Gabriel Fauré and Erich Wolfgang Korngold, and a centenary celebration of the London Chamber Orchestra.

She lives in London with her violinist husband and cat.

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/jessicawords...

Reviews

[Loesje · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid Biography, that sets Faurés life and work in context. Lot of details, but not to academical for a interested / enthusiastic amateur. I really loved it and will probably reread in bits.

[Mark Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An in-depth portrayal of one of the world's great twentieth century composers. I had no idea about all the interactions he had with other creative geniuses of his time nor of his success. The research done in creating this book is enormous and deserves a shout out.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books is so much more than just a biography of a great, but not very well known composer. It is a mirror of the musical scene in France for the exciting period in the last 19th century and early 20th century. A web of many relationships - teacher/student, composer/composer, conservative music society/reformist - comes to light. I just love how the book has the right amount of pictures, old texts, photographs, and quotes from witnesses of that time. Written for the interested music lover, Jessica Duchen's non-technical book is a little gem that should be part of your library. And if you happen to play the piano, or even Faure's pieces, this book is a must-have as you will better understand the thinking of this master composer. The book is well-organized by time periods, and has a comprehensive classified list of works and discography. Overall, a marvelous book about a marvelous composer.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very straightforward biography of French composer Gabriel Faure, whose career spanned the transition from romantic to 20th century music. I am not overly familiar with his music, but what I have heard I have found interesting and attractive, so I wanted to find out more about him.
Faure started out firmly entrenched in the 19th century French romantic style, but as his career progressed, he began to explore more adventurous approaches to form and harmony. While he never adopted the kind of radical experiments styles of composers like Debussy and Stravinsky, Faure did bridge the gap between what had become traditional and what was emerging in the French musical world of his time. His biography also provided an interesting look at the way French musical life itself shifted between the end of the 19th century and into the 20th.

[Javier Márquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book about an often neglected composer.
He had a life as enchanting as his own music.
I highly recommend reading this book and exploring his piano works, songs, the "Requiem in D minor," and his "Cantique de Jean Racine." You will love the magic of Fauré's music and hearing the adventures he went through while creating these masterpieces.