Francis Poulenc, Music: History, Composers, And Performers, Biographies

Related Category: Music: History, Composers, And Performers, Biographies

Francis Poulenc[frANsEs´ pOOlaNk´] Pronunciation Key, 1899–1963, French composer and pianist. He was one of Les Six, a group of French composers who subscribed to the aesthetic ideals of Erik Satie. The spontaneity and lyricism of Poulenc's style are best adapted to small forms : piano pieces such as Mouvements perpEtuels (1918) and songs. Also outstanding are the ballet Les Biches (1924); Concert ChampEtre (1929), for harpsichord and orchestra; the Mass in G (1937), for chorus and organ; Litanies A la Vierge noire (1936), for women's choir and organ; the Intermezzo in A Flat Major (1944), for piano; and the Concerto in G Minor for organ, strings, and percussion (1938). His operas are Les Mamelles de TirEsias (1947) and Dialogues des CarmElites (1957).

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