Gabriel Fauré

Messe Basse

Gabriel Urbaine Fauré (1845-1924) was one of the foremost French composers of his generation, and his musical style influenced many composers in the 20th century.

In 1881, Fauré composed the Messe des pêcheurs de Villerville in collaboration with a former pupil, André Messager. This work was published in 1907 as Messe Basse for soprano solo, Women's choir and organ, now only with movements composed by Fauré. The title alludes to a mass without music, but here means a short, quiet mass.

A Tempo is presenting here the following arrangements of Messe Basse:

> Mixed choir and strings (quartet, quintet or chamber orchestra) (ATEMPO2021-01-01)

> Mixed choir and wind quintet (ATEMPO2021-02-01)

> Mixed choir and organ (ATEMPO2021-03-01)

The original version for equal voices (ATEMPO2021-04-01) can be used with the above accompaniments.

The string, wind and organ parts are not intended to be performed together, but it may be possible - with a few adjustments - to combine single parts, possibly with organ accompaniment.

Cue notes in the wind parts can be omitted where the choir does not need support, but only in the mixed choir version.

The 1907 edition is the basis for these arrangements:

> The arrangement for mixed choir (SSATB) is based on the original piece for equal voices as well as the organ part

> The string and wind parts are based on the original organ score.