[Chausson, Ernest. (1855–1899)] Fauré, Gabriel. (1845-1924).
Noël, Op 43 No 1 [Title page] - THE COPY OF CHAUSSON
Paris: J. Hamelle. [1886]. Noël pour Ténor ou Soprano avec accompagnement de Piano (et d'Harmonium ad libitum)...Op. 43 No. 1. Upright folio. Lithographic title page (only) of the song publication 1 p. With his ownership signature in pencil upper right and the name stamp upper left of the remarkable composer Ernest Chausson, student of Massenet and Franck, who died tragically young. Toning, else fine. Though sadly lacking the musical score itself, an interesting association nevertheless."Noël was initially conceived as an occasional piece, a little Christmas song with harmonium accompaniment. The piano does not quite reproduce the colours of that instrument, but it is clear that Fauré had the festive sound of carillons in mind and the pianist must do his best as a bell-ringer. Fauré sometimes seems to lack the practical touch: here he writes music ‘for the people’ (simplified to a degree, and seemingly designed for a popular market) and yet the vocal-writing is far too demanding for any amateur, and the accompaniment would defeat most village organists. Great French composers seem traditionally permitted to write slightly awkward, and untypical, Christmas songs: thus Debussy’s Noël des enfants qui n’ont plus de maisons, Ravel’s Noël des jouets and Poulenc’s Nous voulons une petite sœur. The text embraces a traditional religiosity (one could say exultantly so at the end of the piece); it belongs perhaps with the composer’s smaller sacred works and pièces d’occasion (like Il est né, le divin enfant and En prière) rather than with his mélodies." (from notes by Graham Johnson © 2005) (23117)
Signed Document/Item Classical Music