Gabriel Urbain Fauré ： 3 Songs without Words No.3 in As-Dur Op.17-3

No. 3 from Fauré’s Three Songs without Words is distinguished by the gentle sonority of A-flat major and the beauty of its vocal, intimate melodies. Broadly, it can be understood as a progression from a songful main section through a contrasting middle passage, marked by changes in harmonic motion and register, before returning to the character of the opening. The melody in the right hand should be brought clearly to the fore, while the left-hand accompaniment remains light and balanced, with careful attention also given to the inner voices. The pedal should be changed in accordance with the harmony so that the sound does not become blurred. Natural breathing toward the peaks of each phrase and restrained flexibility of tempo can create a delicate sense of lingering resonance. Sensing the shifting harmonies beneath the quiet expression and shaping the entire piece as one expansive song are central to the performance.