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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.

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''".  

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''".  

* The Grove Concise Dictionary of Music

 

“The Grove Concise Dictionary of Music”

[[Category: Composers]]

[[Category: Composers]]

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{{DEFAULTSORT: Poulenc, Francis}}