This brief, utterly charming and tuneful piece was probably committed to paper in 1894, though Fauré based it on an older version for cello and organ. The subsequent tempo change to 'Andante quasi Allegretto' made the work’s original title of 'Andante' obsolete.

The change of name to 'Romance' was also better suited to its songlike nature. After its first performance in November 1894 the piece rapidly became popular and is a well-loved encore piece at concerts today. This 'Romance' continues ...