Stylistic Duality in Gabriel Faure's Music for Pauline Viardot's Salon

When Gabriel Faure (1845-1924) became a 'regular' at the Parisian salon of opera legend Pauline Viardot in 1871, he encountered businessmen and politicians in addition to aristocrats and socialites, plus artists and authors as well as amateur musicians and professional peers. Encouraged by Madame Viardot and inspired by her 'artistic salon', Faure produced sophisticated works with stylistic duality: music that appealed to and satisfied both intuitive and analytic listeners. This essay examines three of Faure's compositions that feature stylistic duality, each dedicated to a member of the Viardot family. These include two early melodies, 'Chanson du pecheur (Lamento)' (1872) and 'Au bord de l'eau' (1875), plus the Romance pour violon (1877). It demonstrates that these pieces, which sought to engage a diverse audience and involve each member in an individualized and interactive aesthetic experience, reveal considerable sophistication below their immediately attractive surfaces. This article also avers that abandonment of misconceptions and prejudices is essential to full appreciation of Gabriel Faure's refined and innovative art.