KATHRYN STOTT

Available on BBC Sounds/IPlayer

Fauré has been by my side since I was a young girl of 10 years old. Making this programme with producer Susan Kenyon, has been one of the great journeys of my life. We have reminisced from beautiful Bolton Abbey which I often visited as a child, discussed the 6th Nocturne with Keelan Carew from Broadcasting House, London and spent some glorious days in Paris and Pamiers, France. I’ve visited some quite extraordinary locations, have literally been moved to tears and met some fascinating people along the way. On the eve of the centenary of Fauré’s death, I hope you’ll tune in and relish amazing music and recollections.

As I come towards the end of my professional life as a pianist, this album couldn't be more meaningful. This recording encapsulates a 40-year collaboration with Yo-Yo and brings to a close a very special musical chapter. The inspiration for this project stretches back to my very early years as a child at the Menuhin School, where teachers often visited from Paris; one of those was Nadia Boulanger. Nadia had been a student of Gabriel Fauré, and when I was 10, I had the great privilege to play his 4th Barcarolle for her; from that moment, Fauré's music never left my side. At the age of 10, I had found my musical soulmate. Yo-Yo and I share a link to Nadia, in his case through his teacher Luise Vosgerchian, who had been Nadia's student. It is perhaps a tentative connection, but we have often spoken about the importance of her influence on us both. This year, we both wanted to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Fauré's death with the complete collection of his works for strings and piano. What sublime craftsmanship! Working around these two figures led us to the extraordinary works of Nadia's sister, Lili Boulanger, and it is from Nadia's manuscript of "D'un soir triste" that we recorded this incredible piece. Completing the circle are Fauré's teacher and lifelong friend Camille Saint-Saëns, and Pauline Viardot, one of the most outstanding musicians of her time and great supporter of Fauré through her salon. These musical gifts in time from Paris are our "Merci" to each other and a true celebration of what has been a collaboration I will always deeply treasure.

I have enjoyed the most wonderful and fulfilling career as a concert pianist, but from the end of December 2024, I will no longer be giving public performances in a professional capacity. Music will always be a huge part of my life and I intend to continue my work with young musicians - they are our future.

I look forward to this final chapter on the concert platform and hope you’ll join me along the way.