Gabriel Fauré’s Pavane is one of his most popular compositions. What is less known, however, is that the premiere of this stylized dance in April 1888 was actually performed in this present version for mixed choir rather than in the now more familiar orchestral version or instrumental arrange­ments.

The text, in the style of Verlaine, sketches the carefree society of the Belle Époque, in particular the various flirtations and dalliances of the dancers. Based on Fauré’s autograph score, this...