Fauré: Complete Songs for Voice & Piano

ATMA Classique is delighted to present the complete mélodies for voice and piano of Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924). This recording marks the first time the songs will be heard in their original keys and voice types, according to the composer’s indications for their first performances. Included are pieces written as incidental music for the stage, such as songs for Shylock or Melisande. Faure’s mélodies are performed by four Canadian singers who bring distinct vocal qualities to their interpretations: Hélène Guilmette, soprano; Julie Boulianne, mezzo-soprano; Antonio Figueroa, tenor; and Marc Boucher, baritone. Pianist Olivier Godin accompanies the singers on an 1859 Erard piano tuned to 435 Hz, the pitch standard established in France by ministerial decree in 1859. The piano belongs to the Arte Musica Foundation at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, and is known for its exceptional workmanship and unique sound. This retrospective of Faure’s melodies traces the evolution of the composer’s unique aesthetic, from the charm of his earlier pieces to more mature works such as Clair de lune and Apres un reve, which demonstrate his standing as a master of the French art song.