Pavane (Fauré)

The Pavane by Gabriel Fauré, Op. 50, is a short, lyrical piece for orchestra, with an optional chorus. Composed in 1887 and first performed in Paris in 1888, it is one of Fauré's most popular and recognizable works.

The piece is inspired by the pavane, a stately Renaissance court dance, although Fauré's Pavane is not intended for actual dancing. Rather, it evokes the atmosphere and spirit of the dance through its graceful melody, elegant harmonies, and refined orchestration. The work is characterized by its gentle, melancholic mood, and its graceful, flowing lines.

The orchestration typically includes flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, horns, and strings, often with the addition of harp. The optional chorus, which sings wordless vocalizations, adds to the ethereal quality of the piece.

Fauré originally conceived the Pavane as a purely orchestral work, but he later added the choral part at the suggestion of the Comtesse Greffulhe, who commissioned the work. The lyrics, written by Fauré's acquaintance, the poet Robert de Montesquiou, were later discarded due to their perceived poor quality, leaving the chorus to perform wordless vocalizations.

The Pavane is often performed as a standalone piece, and it is also frequently included in ballet scores. Its enduring popularity stems from its beauty, simplicity, and its ability to evoke a sense of nostalgic longing.