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'''Francis''' Jean Marcel '''Poulenc''' (1899-1963), was a [[Paris]]ian born [[French]] [[composer]] and pianist. He taught himself composition and whilst still in his teens, became recognised as a composer of some sophistication with a piece for voice and chamber ensemble (''Rapsodie negré''), a [[song cycle]] (''Le bestaire'') and the ''Sonata for two [[clarinet]]s''. He joined the group of French composers of the “smart set” known as “''Les Six''” which rejected the perceived [[Romantic period (music)|romanticism]] and conservatism of the earlier French masters such as [[Claude Debussy|Debussy]] and Vincent D’Indy, instead aiming for intellectual suavity and even irony. (Much of his [[chamber music|chamber]] and [[orchestra]]l music can be said to have been written with a “raised eyebrow”). Even his major orchestral work, the ''Concerto for Organ, Strings and Timpani'', ranges in style from the [[baroque period (music)|baroque]] to the fête.

'''Francis''' Jean Marcel '''Poulenc''' (1899-1963), was a [[Paris]]ian born [[French]] [[composer]] and pianist. He taught himself composition and whilst still in his teens, became recognised as a composer of some sophistication with a piece for voice and chamber ensemble (''Rapsodie negré''), a [[song cycle]] (''Le bestaire'') and the ''[[Sonata]] for two [[clarinet]]s''. He joined the group of French composers of the “smart set” known as “''Les Six''” which rejected the perceived [[Romantic period (music)|romanticism]] and conservatism of the earlier French masters such as [[Claude Debussy|Debussy]] and [[Vincent D’Indy]], instead aiming for intellectual suavity and even irony. (Much of his [[chamber music|chamber]] and [[orchestra]]l music can be said to have been written with a “raised eyebrow”). Even his major orchestral work, the ''[[Concerto]] for [[Organ]], Strings and [[Timpani]]'', ranges in style from the [[baroque period (music)|baroque]] to the fête.

This said, it seems that he arrived at romanticism by another way. A deeply religious man, he wrote some notable devotional music, including a ''[[Stabat mater]]'' and a late ''[[Gloria]]'' that are among the most frequently heard of their kind today - this music, whilst undeniably [[Twentieth Century period (music)|20th century]], and distinctively his, is harmonically traditional and generally tuneful.

This said, it seems that he arrived at romanticism by another way. A deeply religious man, he wrote some notable devotional music, including a ''[[Stabat mater]]'' and a late ''[[Gloria]]'' that are among the most frequently heard of their kind today - this music, whilst undeniably [[Twentieth Century period (music)|20th century]], and distinctively his, is harmonically traditional and generally tuneful.

His output included a fair number of songs which are an important contribution to the French “''melodie''” tradition.  

His output included a fair number of songs which are an important contribution to the French “''[[melodie]]''” tradition.  

He wrote successfully for the stage, including a ballet for the impresario, Dyagilev, ''Les biches'', when he was only 25. A relatively late work (and one that, like the ''Gloria'',  sprang from a renewal in faith in his later years) is the tragic [[opera]], ''Dialogues des Carmélites'' – there is no urbane modernity there; the ultimate tragic scene is one of the most deeply felt and intensely affecting pieces of writing in all music!

He wrote successfully for the stage, including a [[ballet]] for the impresario, Dyagilev, ''Les biches'', when he was only 25. A relatively late work (and one that, like the ''Gloria'',  sprang from a renewal in faith in his later years) is the tragic [[opera]], ''Dialogues des Carmélites'' – there is no urbane modernity there; the ultimate tragic scene is one of the most deeply felt and intensely affecting pieces of writing in all music!

A fine pianist, he wrote many short private pieces for that instrument, plus a concerto for two pianos. The piano parts of his well known chamber works – sonatas for [[flute]], clarinet, [[cello]], [[violin]] and the like - show a composer perfectly at home at the keyboard and enjoying himself. Also with a major keyboard component is his major work for piano and narrator, "''L’histoire de Babar, le petit elephant''".  

A fine [[piano|pianist]], he wrote many short private pieces for that instrument, plus a concerto for two pianos. The piano parts of his well known [[chamber music|chamber works]] – sonatas for [[flute]], clarinet, [[cello]], [[violin]] and the like - show a composer perfectly at home at the keyboard and enjoying himself. Also with a major keyboard component is his major work for piano and narrator, "''L’histoire de Babar, le petit elephant''".  

[[Category: Composers]]

[[Category: Composers]]

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