Élégie (Fauré)

The Élégie in C minor, Op. 24, is a piece for cello and piano composed by Gabriel Fauré in 1880. Originally written for cello and piano, it was later orchestrated by Fauré in 1895, though the cello and piano version remains the more frequently performed.

The piece was initially conceived as the slow movement of a cello sonata, but Fauré discarded the rest of the sonata and published the Élégie as a standalone work. It's characterized by its melancholic and lyrical melody, typical of Fauré's Romantic style. The Élégie's expressive depth and beauty quickly established it as a popular and enduring work in the cello repertoire.

The work is often interpreted as an expression of grief, and its composition coincided with a period of personal loss for Fauré. However, the composer never explicitly confirmed this interpretation. Regardless of its specific inspiration, the Élégie is universally recognized as a deeply moving and evocative piece of music, demanding both technical skill and emotional maturity from the performer. It has become a staple of cello recitals and is frequently used in memorial services.