With the exception of the Pavane, this program gathers together some of Fauré’s lesser known piano works. Pierre-Alain Volondat explores two sides of the French composer’s musical personality: the intimate, pastel-colored miniaturist, who sobs at the death of Mélisande or nostalgically remembers the past, and the high-class, witty salon entertainer. Although Fauré’s music can be extremely refined and delicate, even sometimes on the verge of fragility, it never becomes mawkish or sentimental. From the Chopinesque rhythmical twists of the Mazurka through the four zesty Valses-Caprices and the gentle, mournful Pavane, Fauré always shows a keen ear for the piano’s subtlest harmonic alchemy. These works have everything to seduce performers and listeners alike, and Volondat’s sensitive yet deep-in-the-keys touch reminds us of just that. A few brutal moments in the Valses-Caprices notwithstanding, the pianist’s lively playing always brings out the best of this highly cultured music. The sound recording faithfully mirrors these qualities, including a slight metallic resonance in the louder dynamics.
