The song 'Prison' by Fauré was inspired by Paul Verlaine's prison sentence, which resulted from an incident where he pulled a pistol on Arthur Rimbaud during an intoxicated quarrel.
Recording & Production
This recording takes impetus from a new critical edition of all Fauré's songs by Peters Edition, which corrects errors, offers variants, and re-orders early songs chronologically.
Composer Biography
Gabriel Fauré, the composer, was from the Ariège region near the Mediterranean and his family and colleagues often noted his 'southerner' temperament.
Interpretation
The bass Jared Schwartz and artistic director Mary Dibbern chose songs for this album by considering if the poem's subject was credible for a bass voice and if the piano part would sound good when transposed.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Fauré's colleagues, including mezzo Claire Croiza, recalled his insistence on firm rhythm, strong bass support, and avoiding sentimentality in his music.
Composition History
Fauré's three Baudelaire settings, including 'Hymne' from 1870, may have been part of a joint initiative with composers Chabrier and Duparc to introduce avant-garde poetry to French song.
Compositional Technique
Fauré's three Baudelaire songs share thematic material and compositional elements, such as leitmotif-like techniques, found nowhere else in his songs, subtly bowing to Wagner.
