Description
After the great success of his Élégie (HN 563), Fauré's publisher Hamelle encouraged him to compose another similarly effective cello and piano piece. Fauré likely wrote Papillon in 1884, but it wasn't published until 1898. While Fauré simply wanted to call it "Piece for violoncello", his publisher insisted on a more evocative title and ultimately dubbed it "Papillon" (meaning "butterfly"). Fauré is said to have been displeased, remarking: "Butterfly or dung fly - use whatever you want." However, the work's success proved Hamelle right, as Papillon is now just as popular with cellists as the Élégie and is available in a Henle Urtext edition.