It’s such a l-l-l-lovely sunny day outside today! I’m more than sure that Gabriel Fauré composed his majestic Pavane on a no less lovely day back in 1887. There are two possible explanations for this name: it’s either the Italian for ‘dance’ or the Spanish for ‘peacock’. I’d prefer to stick to the Spanish version because it’s known that exactly the rhythms of the traditional processional ‘pavan’ dance in the court of Spain inspired the French composer for his little six-minute masterpiece.
The composer himself first considered the piece quite dull, or better say ‘pallid’, but as soon as he decided to dedicate it to his patron, comtesse Elizabeth, adding some more grandeur seemed a must. That’s when Fauré wrote an additional invisible chorus as an accompaniment to the orchestral version. The lyrics were not devoid of romantic touch and the tragic helplessness of a man in love. And there it was, the secret, now the whole piece was a completed integral music work.
The F-sharp minor Pavane, although meant for piano, was mostly used for orchestra during its historic usage. Anna Cooper had interpreted it in her own manner too, scoring the piece for flute, oboe and bassoon. A graceful arrangement was born as a result of her work.
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