Faure, Romance For Violin & Piano (Hamelle)

Faure composed this Romance in 1877.  The first theme has a decorative style that can be felt to mirror the languid curves of Art Nouveau.  This contrasts with a sweeping, incisive spirit in the second section in G minor.

Of the first performance this composition in 1883,  Faure recalled: “At first hearing, it was received with much grinding of teeth; at second hearing, the lights began to go on, and at third hearing, it provoked comparison with a limpid stream coursing through green meadows! What a pity one cannot always begin with the third hearing.” His wife's family, the Viardots disapproved of his working methods noting that he wrote slowly.  They were also concerned that he wrote chamber music and songs rather than opera which was more lucrative and with which a composer could achieve fame in Paris at this time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dqv9_lXYeZ8