FORAY Into FAURÉ!

Have you ever played Fauré’s Élégie, Sicilienne, Berceuse or Aprés un Rêve or wished you were able to? Even if you have never played any of Gabriel Fauré’s compositions, you will doubtless know the most popular of his works, including of course his sublime Requiem which features the warm, golden, cantabile tones of our wonderful instrument. Here is a chance to learn more.

In partnership with our twin, the Association Française du Violoncelle, the British Cello Society welcomes its president Xavier Gagnepain, a specialist in Fauré’s music.

Notable for his wide-ranging curiosity, Xavier Gagnepain pursues his passion for music in a multitude of directions. A pupil of Maurice Gendron and prize-winner at international competitions (Munich and Sao Paulo), he is both a soloist and a commited chamber musician as a member of the Rosamonde string quartet. He has been invited to perform concertos with major orchestras in Europe such as the London Symphony Orchestra & Moscow Soloists. His cello class at the Conservatoire de Boulogne-Billancourt has a high reputation. In addition, he now devotes a growing portion of his time to conducting. As an indefatigable champion of rare, unhackneyed repertoire, he does not hesitate to take part regularly in first performances of contemporary works.

His book Du musicien en général…au violoncelliste en particulier, commissioned by the Cité de la Musique, has enjoyed great success. In his latest CD, published by Zigzag in 2007,  he presents the complete works for cello by Gabriel Fauré.

Dr. Harvey Davies is professor of piano and staff pianist at the RNCM. In the latter role he has played for classes given by such esteemed cellists as Ralph Kirshbaum, Miklós Perényi, Raphael Wallfisch and Hannah Roberts. He is also well-known to Manchester audiences as co-director of the chamber group, the Pleyel Ensemble.

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