About Fauré...

Gabriel Fauré was the foremost French composer of his generation, and his musical style influenced many 20th century composers (including Maurice Duruflé). The picture above shows Fauré in 1895, about seven years after his Requiem was first performed.

When he was nine-years-old, he was sent to study at the École Niedermeyer, a school which prepared church organists and choir directors in Paris. He later became an organist, choirmaster and composer of several choral works and operas, as well as piano, cello and violin works.

In 1883, Fauré married Marie Fremiet, and had two sons. (Apparently his wife wasn't available to adjust his tie for the photo, however). In order to support his family, Fauré organized daily services at the Église de la Madeleine and taught piano and harmony lessons. He only had time to compose during the summers, and earned almost no money from his compositions.

Fauré claimed that his Requiem was written "for the pleasure of it" rather than for a specific person. However, it was started after the death of his father, and before it was completed his mother died as well. It was first performed in 1888, 120 years before being performed by the Summit Choral Society.