Gabriel Fauré - Sonatas Pour Violon et Piano

Amazon.co.uk Review
"The two main works on Isabelle Faust's Fauré disc span a period of 40 years, from the composer's early maturity to his old age. Faust, who receive the Gramophone Young Artist of the Year Award in 1997 for her debut disc of Bartók violin sonatas, and Florent Boffard approach this music as one acutely honed music-making instrument. In the Sonata No.1 of 1876, Fauré's long melodic lines flow with graceful melody, elegantly intertwined from the propulsive optimism of the opening Allegro molto to the lyrical yearning of the closing Allegro quasi presto. Composed during the height of the Great War in 1916, with Fauré facing his own encroaching deafness, the Sonata No.2 is superficially a return to the romantic-nationalist musical dream of 40 years previously, but is infused with a dark, unquiet spirit. Faust brings an intensity to the work which suggests not just relentless inquiry, but almost an over-ripeness, a sense of romanticism betrayed, corrupted, turned sour. The disc is completed by four lighter pieces: Berceuse op.16, Romance op.28, Andante, op.75 and Morceau de lecture, which provide an attractive contrast to the main works. A highly recommended release with well-balanced, clear sound." Gary S Dalkin Amazon.co.uk

Amazon Information
Composer: Gabriel Faure
Performer: Florent Boffard, Isabelle Faust
Audio CD (June 11, 2002)
SPARS Code: DDD
Number of Discs: 1
Format: Import
Label: Harmonia Mundi Fr. (HMC901741)
ASIN: B00006596V

Tracklist
01 - Sonata for violin & piano No.1 in A major, Op.13 - Allegro molto
02 - Sonata for violin & piano No.1 in A major, Op.13 - Andante
03 - Sonata for violin & piano No.1 in A major, Op.13 - Allegro vivo
04 - Sonata for violin & piano No.1 in A major, Op.13 - Allegro quasi presto
05 - Sonata for violin & piano No.2 in E minor, Op.108 - Allegro non troppo
06 - Sonata for violin & piano No.2 in E minor, Op.108 - Andante
07 - Sonata for violin & piano No.2 in E minor, Op.108 - Final, Allegro non troppo
08 - Berceuse, for violin & piano (or orchestra) in D major, Op. 16
09 - Romance for violin & piano (or orchestra) in B flat major, Op. 28
10 - Andante for violin & piano in B flat major, Op. 75
11 - Morceau de lecture, for violin & piano