Description
This exceptional collection of works encompasses nearly the entirety of Fauré's compositional journey, offering a wealth of enrichment throughout one's lifetime. The inspiration behind such profound pieces as the 6th and 10th Nocturnes is truly awe-inspiring. Unfortunately, the 'Nocturnes' faced a challenging publishing history, leading Howat to identify numerous corrections, amendments, and alternatives directly from Fauré's own hand. He remains attuned to the dynamic and fertile nature of Fauré's creativity, viewing minor discrepancies in repeated or parallel sections as intentional choices rather than compositional errors to be rectified. His research includes piano-roll recordings of three Nocturnes performed by Fauré himself.
A revised edition of Fauré's Thirteen Nocturnes has long been necessary to rectify countless misprints and uncertainties. In the latter part of his life, Fauré attempted to produce a corrected edition of his first eight Nocturnes, but the effort was so flawed that he sought to prevent its publication shortly before his death. Nevertheless, the publisher Hamelle released it in 1924, and it has remained in circulation since, burdened by editorial fingering since the 1950s.
The new London Peters edition, which supersedes the Leipzig version, has meticulously compared all known manuscripts and prints from Fauré's era, alongside piano rolls recorded by the composer and annotated scores from pianists who collaborated with him. Several of Fauré's own printed copies, featuring numerous handwritten corrections that were omitted from the 1924 re-edition, are now published for the first time. The preface offers performance guidance attributed to Fauré, emphasizing his desire for his music to be played with precision and adherence to dynamics, avoiding sentimental slowing or excessive rubato.
