Audio CD
SPARS Code: A-D
Number of Discs: 1
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Testament
Size: 185 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
01. No. 1 in E flat minor Op. 33-1
02. No. 2 in B Op. 33-2
03. No. 3 in A flat Op. 33-3
04. No. 4 in E flat Op. 36
05. No. 5 in B flat Op. 37
06. No. 6 in D flat Op. 63
07. No. 7 in C sharp minor Op. 74
08. No. 8 in D flat Op. 84-8
09. No. 9 in B minor Op. 97
10. No. 10 in E minor Op. 99
11. No. 11 in F sharp minor Op. 104-1
12. No. 12 in E minor Op. 107
13. No. 13 in B minor Op. 119
Germaine Thyssens-Valentin (piano), 1956
Gabreil Faure himself said he did not want his music played daintily. Many pianists play with too much sensitivity. Since the music is emotionally charged as is, it is easily overdone. Others play his works, Nocturnes in particular, as showpieces (Horowitz for example).
These performances, on the other hand,strike me as just right. Faure is an essentially contrupuntal composer. Germain brings out the countermelodies and shapes all of the lines exquisitely. There is no lack of emotion in her playing but then she doesn’t overdo it either. Of course, the recordings are old and they sound it. Still this has been a wonderful discovery for one who has been looking for the right Faure piano performances for years.