Overview

This is Fauré's last piano work and is considered one of his late masterpieces. His pupil, Charles Koechlin, described this work as the "most authentic, most anguished" among Fauré's nocturnes.

Background of Composition

It was begun in Paris in the autumn of 1921, completed in Nice, Southern France, on December 31st, and published by Durand the following year. It was created during what Nectoux called Fauré's "most fruitful period of his life." Other works from the same year include Barcarolle No. 13, Cello Sonata No. 2, and the song cycle L'horizon chimérique. At the time of its composition, Fauré was already 76 years old and had retired from his position as director of the Paris Conservatoire a year prior due to old age, hearing loss, and other reasons. After this work, his creative activity gradually declined.

It was dedicated to Louise, wife of Fernand Maillot, a friend and music lover of Fauré (Fauré occasionally held trial performances of chamber music in her salon). It was premiered by Blanche Selva on April 28, 1923, at the Société Nationale de Musique, alongside Barcarolle No. 13.

Authored by: Natsuko Jimbo