Composer

:

Gabriel Fauré

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Quartet

Compose Date

:

1876 - 1879

Publication Date

:

1884

First Performance

:

Feb 14, 1880

Average_duration

:

32:11

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

Gabriel Fauré's Piano Quartet No. 1 in C minor, Op. 15, was composed between 1876 and 1879. It premiered on February 22, 1880, at the Société Nationale de Musique in Paris, with Fauré himself on the piano, accompanied by violinist Eugène Ysaÿe, violist Louis Armingaud, and cellist Jules Delsart. The quartet is divided into four movements. The first movement, marked Allegro molto moderato, begins with a somber and melancholic theme in the piano, which is then taken up by the strings. The movement is characterized by its use of chromaticism and its shifting tonal centers, which create a sense of restlessness and unease. The second movement, marked Scherzo: Allegro vivo, is a lively and playful scherzo in A-flat major. The piano and strings engage in a lively dialogue, with the piano often taking on a more percussive role. The trio section, marked Trio animé, is more lyrical and features a soaring melody in the violin. The third movement, marked Adagio, is the emotional heart of the quartet. It begins with a mournful melody in the cello, which is then taken up by the violin. The piano provides a delicate accompaniment, with gentle arpeggios and rolling chords. The movement builds to a powerful climax before subsiding into a quiet and introspective coda. The final movement, marked Allegro molto, is a lively and energetic finale in C minor. The piano and strings engage in a spirited dialogue, with the piano often taking on a more virtuosic role. The movement is characterized by its use of syncopation and its driving rhythms, which create a sense of urgency and excitement. Overall, Fauré's Piano Quartet No. 1 is a work of great emotional depth and complexity. It showcases Fauré's mastery of harmony and his ability to create rich and nuanced textures. The quartet is often regarded as one of Fauré's finest works and is a staple of the chamber music repertoire.

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