Novelty of form, selected modulations, strange tone colours, the use of completely unexpected rhythms', this is how Camille Saint-Saí‚ns praised the debut work of a young colleague and continued: 'Above everything is a charm that surrounds the whole work and makes the mass of average listeners accept the most surprising audacities as something entirely natural.' The First Violin Sonata by Gabriel Faurí© (1845-1924) was, indeed, anextraordinary composition which, at the same time, opened the way for t he oeuvre of one of the most important French composers in the late 19thcentury and early 20th century: His compositions were to focus on the m usic of small form and chamber music instrumentations. He could win the heart of the audience with songs and piano music, with sonatas and pianotrio, with quartets and quintets. His much praised Sonata No. 1 is now presented in a new edition.
