A sicilienne is a slow tempo movement usually in a minor key with lilting rhythmic patterns and dotted notes enabling it to be described as a slow jig. This movement dates from 1893 and exists in several different forms and this is the composer’s own piano arrangement or rather score reduction. Music such as this which has been transcribed from an arrangement to be played by a solo piano is a challenge to play because there is much detail that almost becomes hidden in the musical texture. When playing this piece on the piano it is particularly important to know where the melody is located. Fauré’s music possesses great subtlety and as a composer he has a great awareness of instrument colour. Careful attention needs to be paid to the reading of accidentals as frequently different voices are sounding in what seem to be conflicting versions of a note. This is attributable to the modal element that it is a strong component of Fauré’s music. His early life was spent in Pamiers in the Ariège region of France one of the most rural parts of France. There is no doubt that the music of the old church modes were still being remembered. Apart from this, attention needs to be made to the reading of the notes and the score detail particularly in respect to knowing which notes are tied. The sustaining pedal is required although this has only been indicated in the opening bars of the score. The pianist has the choice of whether or not to spread the chords in bar 42 and 43. The realisation plays at a tempo of 52 dotted quarter notes to the minute – the music editor’s view is that many performances of the work are played too quickly. The musical texture comprises a melody , accompaniment figuration and a bass with some doublings of the part. The work is in ternary form ABA. Players may well wish to add reminders of accidentals to their scores. A sensible approach to learning this piece would be to listen to recordings so that the sound world becomes familiar. This score was updated in November 2025 with changes to the layout with the addition of rehearsal markings.
