Marc-Andre Hamelin and Cathy Fuller present 'Faure: Nocturnes and Barcarolles'
Marc-Andr\xe9 Hamelin \u2013 Faur\xe9: Nocturnes and Barcarolles (Hyperion)
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New Classical Tracks - Mark-Andre Hamelin and Cathy Fuller
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\u201cThe thing about him is that he's so honest and real and natural,\u201d pianist and radio host Cathy Fuller says. \u201cHe never thinks about how he comes across so much as how the music gets to the other person, and you can even sense that in the way he converses. And that's one of the things that really struck me about him.\u201d
That\u2019s what impressed Fuller when she first encountered pianist Marc-Andr\xe9 Hamelin. He was on the other side of the microphone as she interviewed him for her classical radio program in Boston.\xa0That interview led to lunch, then long-distance phone calls and eventually marriage.\xa0 And now, for the first time, Fuller , who is also an accomplished pianist, performs with Hamelin on his new recording. It features the complete nocturnes and barcarolles by Gabriel Faur\xe9, as well as the piece they perform together, the delightful Dolly Suite, for piano four-hands.
Fuller: \u201cI thought, \u2018Playing with Marc-Andr\xe9 Hamelin \u2014 oh, my God! I have to do scales with Marc. Forget it!\u2019 But I remember, when I was studying the music, how much I loved being next to somebody. I think he made me better just by being next to him. But I really had to work at this. And it was he who asked me. I would never have asked to do this. And I was so touched that he had the faith and confidence in me to do this. And I really tried to rise to the occasion, but it was a ton of fun.
\u201cThis was the first time we really played together. And I have a really hard time with the idea of giving up the pedal. That was difficult. And so does he \u2014 don't you, Marc?\u201d
Hamelin: \u201cOh, yes, absolutely. I was taking the bottom part in the duet that we were playing, and it's more logical for the bottom player to take the pedal. So, it takes two players who are really in sympathy with each other, you know? And we really worked at it. And the result really speaks for itself.\u201d
Why did you want to record the barcarolles and nocturnes of Gabriel Faur\xe9?
Hamelin: \u201cTo have all the nocturnes and barcarolles in one place was an especially attractive idea, I thought. And the more I delved into it, the more wonderful I thought it was. And you just go from one wonder to the next.\u201d
Nocturnes are often a night piece and therefore something that's more subtle or subdued. However, these nocturnes by Faur\xe9 are not like that. Can you talk about the sense of drama that he creates in some of these pieces?
Hamelin: \u201cFaur\xe9\u2019s publisher was mainly responsible for the titles given to his works upon publication, because he really didn't care much about what to call them. It's really what was expressed that was of prime importance to him.
\u201cSo a nocturne is not necessarily nocturnal in his outlook, because some of them get quite dramatic. I'm thinking of the last nocturne, No. 13, which has a very stormy and anguished middle section that really rises to a big fever pitch.\u201d
If you were going to sit down and play one of those nocturnes right now, which one would you choose and why?
Hamelin: \u201cOne of them, to my mind, stands out above almost all the others. And that's No. 6. The special atmosphere that he creates has always been very, very special to me, perhaps more than any other of his piano works.
\u201cAlthough if you put it on the CD with the nocturnes, the very beginning of the first nocturne is magical.\u201d
Do you feel that way about the barcarolles as well? Is there one that stands out to you?
Hamelin: \u201cThe Third Barcarolle, which I learned when I was a teenager. I think I was maybe 16 or something like that, and I've always had a soft spot for it. And on a personal note, whenever I visited my mother, she asked me to play it because she just adored it.\u201d
Listen on YouTube
To hear the rest of my conversation, click on the extended interview above, or\xa0download the extended podcast on iTunes\xa0or wherever you get your podcasts.
Resources
Marc-Andr\xe9 Hamelin \u2013 Faure: Nocturnes and Barcarolles (Amazon)
Marc-Andr\xe9 Hamelin \u2013 Faure: Nocturnes and Barcarolles (Hyperion)
Marc-Andr\xe9 Hamelin (official site)