The Two Piano Quartets

Gabriel Fauré is recognized presently as one of the most significant composers of late nineteenth and early twentieth century France. In particular, he is known as a supreme master of of French mélodies and chamber music, his two preferred genres. But like all too many composers, he was not a great popular success in his own lifetime. Even those works which were received most favorably, such as the Violin Sonata brought him little in the way of remuneration. Emile Vuillermoz, a student of Fauré's, who was later to become one of France's most influential critics, recounts with considerable indignation that the Society of Authors and Composers haughtily refused to accept Fauré as Vuillermoz' sponsor because Fauré had never made as much as 200 francs per month in royalties! - George Work © 199o