Merci is a deeply personal expression of gratitude, a celebration of the powerful relationships that keep music alive. This effervescent recording is rooted in the compositions of Gabriel Faur�, whom Kathryn Stott calls her "musical soulmate," and follows the arcs of his inspiration and influence, from the creations of his teacher Camille Saint-Sa�ns and his friend and supporter Pauline Viardot to works by his student Nadia Boulanger and her sister, Lili. Merci is testament to the gift of friendship, to the connections among performers, between students and teachers, and across generations that make music magic.