Fauré’s music for violin and piano links both ends of the composer’s long career, from the early A major sonata’s lyric beauty and wry playfulness to the strange, bleak harmonic refinement and terse polyphony characterizing the aged master’s second work in this genre. Both the Romance and Andante typify the mature Fauré’s refined, concentrated style, while the salonish charm of the Berceuse refuses to fade. Violinist Isabelle Faust turns in stunning performances that are meticulously detailed yet full of headlong passion, soaring long lines, and bigness of conception. Notice, in the A major’s finale, her subtle dynamic gradations and ripe, unaffected tone quality, or the richness of her sustained notes on the D and G strings in the E minor’s first movement.
Faust, moreover, is clearly inspired by pianist Florent Boffard’s affirmative, uplifting support, especially in his rock-solid, shapely bass lines and the opulent, organ-like, utterly unbanging tone he evokes from the concert grand. If you prefer more intimate, translucent Fauré, Grumiaux is still your first choice. But it’s hard not to get swept away by Faust and Boffard’s large-scaled, generous artistry, bathed in ample but not overly resonant sonics. A very special release, not to be missed.
