Gabriel Faure

Author Code: FGFZ

Educated at the Ecole Niedermeyer where he studied organ and composition, Faure trained as an organist and choirmaster before taking a position as a church musician in 1866 at Rennes. In 1871, he moved on to St. Sulpice and in 1874 to the Madeleine. While at Rennes, he met Saint-Saens and was greatly influenced by his music. Faure's music was of a modern nature, which took some time to be recognized by the public. In 1892, he became the national inspector of provincial conservatoires and in 1896 the chief organist at Madeleine. He was also appointed the composition professor at the Conservatoire that year, where he numbered Ravel and Enescu among his pupils. From 1905 to 1920 he was the director of the Conservatoire. Faure is regarded as the master of the French song, although his chamber music including the impromptus and preludes are especially noteworthy. Faure also produced the opera Penelope in 1913.