A short virtuoso showpiece for cello and piano, composed in 1884. Fauré reportedly disliked the nickname "Papillon" (Butterfly) his publisher insisted on and considered the title a marketing imposition on what he thought of as a technically demanding morceau. The outer sections are flurries of rapid figuration over a simple piano accompaniment; the central section drops into a lyrical Andantino, giving the performer a brief moment to breathe before the butterfly returns. Three minutes of controlled dazzle.
Papillon Op. 77
cellopianoromanticcharacter piece~3 minadvanced
Difficulty
Technical
Professional
Rapid figuration at controlled speed; the Andantino demands to land cleanly.
Stamina
Light
Three minutes of dazzle.
Interpretive
Moderate
Short character piece; the interpretive frame is "butterfly" rather than essay.
Ensemble
Intermediate
Piano provides simple accompaniment; ensemble asks are minimal.
Performer's notes
Structural landmarks
Allegro vivo — Andantino — Allegro vivo
Interpretive schools
Editions
Hamelle
The original French edition. Standard historical source.
International Music Company
American performing edition with added bowings and fingerings. Adapted for modern cello technique.
Recordings
Pedagogical arc
Prepare with
Natural next
External references