Fauré’s “Pavane” was composed for orchestra in 1887, followed by a version for chorus and orchestra in that same year. Three decades later Serge Diaghilev had it choreographed for his Ballets russes – a sign of its great popularity. “Pavane” exudes the spirit of Paris’s fetes galantes at the turn of the century. A version for solo piano appeared in 1889; it was most likely prepared by Fauré himself, who performed it several times and even recorded it for player piano.