Catalogue

Summary:

Pianist Charles Owen follows a critically acclaimed release of Fauré’s popular Nocturnes (AV2133) with a relative rarity – a complete survey of the composer’s Barcarolles uniquely coupled with Trois Romances sans paroles, Fauré’s first published works for piano. The Barcarolles straddle the turn of the 20th century and span a four-decade period, from 1880–1921. The works’ dedicatees were a veritable roll call of Parisian musical elite. Though written and published separately, they hang together well through their combination of mystery, humanity and inner poetry. Yet it is a rare pianist who plays all thirteen, a bill that Charles Owen lives up to brilliantly.

Tracklist:

GABRIEL FAURÉ (1845–1924)

The Complete Barcarolles
1 Barcarolle No.1, Op. 26 in A minor – Allegretto moderato (4:56)
2 Barcarolle No. 2, Op. 41 in G major – Allegretto quasi Allegro (6:32)
3 Barcarolle No. 3, Op. 42 in G flat major – Andante, quasi Allegretto (7:14)
4 Barcarolle No. 4, Op.44 in A flat major – Allegretto (3:23)
5 Barcarolle No. 5, Op. 66 in F sharp minor – Allegretto moderato (5:21)
6 Barcarolle No. 6, Op. 70 in E flat major – Allegretto vivo (3:22)
7 Barcarolle No. 7, Op. 90 in D minor – Allegretto moderato (2:56)
8 Barcarolle No. 8, Op. 96 in D flat major – Allegretto moderato (3:16)
9 Barcarolle No. 9, Op. 101 in A minor – Andante moderato (4:05)
10 Barcarolle No. 10, Op. 104/2 in A minor – Allegretto moderato (3:01)
11 Barcarolle No. 11, Op. 105 in G minor – Allegretto moderato (4:33)
12 Barcarolle No. 12, Op. 106 bis in E flat major – Allegretto giocoso (2:58)
13 Barcarolle No. 13, Op. 116 in C major – Allegretto (3:51)

Trois Romances sans paroles, Op. 17 (6:49)
14 No. 1 in A flat major – Andante, quasi allegretto (1:51)
15 No. 2 in A minor – Allegro molto (2:17)
16 No. 3 in A flat major – Andante moderato (2:41)

Total time: 63:20

Recorded July 5, 6 & 7 2010 at the Wyastone Concert Hall, Monmouthshire
Recording Producer: Andrew Keener
Balance Engineer: Simon Eadon
Editing: Bill Sykes