Gabriel Urbain Faure

Faure was born at pamiers (Ariege), France, May 13, 1845. He studied at Paris with Niedermayer, and also under Deitsche and Saint-Saens. On leaving school, he became organist at a church in Rennes, but in 1870 he returned to Paris. After holding various positions as organist in the French capital he became maitre de Chapelle, and, later, organist at the Madeleine. In 1896 he was appointed professor of composition at the Conservatoire, and in June, 1905, succeeded Dubois as Director, and still occupies that exalted position. He has been a prolific composer of all kinds of music, and first became known to the public on account of his admirable songs, which are very touching and original. He has written a great number of them. Among the most remarkable of these works may be mentioned "Apres un reve en Priere" and "Les Roses d'Ispahan". He has also published a number of pianoforte pieces. Among his most remarkable works, besides a Berceuse and Romance for violin and orchestra and an Elegie for 'cello, two quartets for piano and strings, may be mentioned an orchestral suite, a symphony in D minor, a one act operetta, a requiem and various other works of great merit. His name is frequently and unjustly confused with that of J. Faure, who wrote The Palm Branches. His position as head of the Paris Conservatoire entitles him to be regarded as being among the foremost musical educators of the day.