Extases d’amour pour piano / Ecstasies of love for piano

Faure’s musical style – refined yet ecstatic, lyrical yet harmonically complex – developed greatly during the course of his career as a composer. This recital combines some of Fauré’s very accessible early compositions with highly regarded works from his later years. Pianist Pieter van Zyl’s interest in Fauré’s music was ignited by his exposure to French art songs as well as his study of French theatre practices, in particular the work of Etienne Decroux. Pieter also had the opportunity to study in Paris for a year. Exploring Fauré’s music during these past few years has felt like a natural artistic development to him. It has become a deeply enriching journey. “Fauré sets … a matchless example of sincerity and genuineness. Neither following fashion nor listening to would-be advisors, he proceeded untrammelled in his quest for beauty. He remained simple, combining impassioned imagination and lucidity of mind. When one listens to his music one feels sure that an apex is reached, that here is perfection.” Charles Koechlin in Le Ménestral (1921).