Gabriel Fauré loosened the conventions of classical music, particularly in the areas of harmony and form, and served as a bridge linking 19th-century Romanticism to 20th-century modern music. His best work is characterised by melodies that seem to float above harmonies, enriched by unexpected and original chord progressions. He made frequent use of the Greek modes as well as the traditional major and minor tonalities, giving his work a mystical quality that was both innovative and emotionally...