Gabriel Faur (18451924) [ French Composer ] Period of time = ModernNo. III = Gavotte: Allegro vivoNo. IV = Pastorale: Andantino tranquillo

Gabriel Faure was a founder of the National Society for French Music and the first president of the Independent Musical Society. He was a professor of composition at the Paris Conservatoire in 1896 and its director from 1905 to 1920, when he resigned because of a hearing loss. Faures refined, highly civilized music embodies the aristocratic qualities of French tradition. His piano pieces, were written during all periods of his creative life, including impromptus, preludes, 13 barcaolles, 13 nocturnes, and a few larger works.

Generally, French tradition is essentially classic, regarding music as sonorous form rather than expression. Instead of emotional displays and music depiction we get subtle patterns of tones, rhythms, and colours. The music is more lyric or dancelike rather than epic or dramatic.