Composed in 1880, Gabriel Fauré’s Élégie for solo cello was first performed in 1883. Originally composed for cello and piano, Fauré also orchestrated the work for cello and orchestra.
At first, Fauré was looking into writing a cello sonata and it was in his method to pen the slow movement first. This was premiered under the guise of the sonata at the salon of Camille Saint-Saëns in 1880. Fauré never completed the sonata, and so in 1883 he had this one movement published under the new title of Élégie.
Here is Cellist Jacqueline DuPre to play this music for you:
