As far as canonical composers go, Francis Poulenc (1899-1963) is rather underrated. He’s frequently lumped together with «Les six» rather than discussed in his own right, despite the fact that his writing is head and shoulders above the rest of theirs (no offense). His compositional style is quite witty and tuneful—a major characteristic of his writing is his penchant for stringing melodies together. Poulenc was largely self-taught; as a result, rather than traditional classical forms, his music displays much more influence from contemporary music like Ravel’s, Stravinsky’s, and Debussy’s, as well as jazz, ragtime, and cabaret. His works tend to be loosely organized, with sections differentiated by colors rather than tonal areas. Themes sometimes return, but they do not really develop; his style is far from Beethoven, Brahms, or Wagner. If anything, tools for thematic development like melodic inversion are more prominent in his references to his own works.
Six of the greatest pieces by Francis Poulenc
Six of the greatest pieces by Francis Poulenc
Six of the greatest pieces by Francis Poulenc
As far as canonical composers go, Francis Poulenc (1899-1963) is rather underrated. He’s frequently lumped together with «Les six» rather than discussed in his own right, despite the fact that his writing is head and shoulders above the rest of theirs (no offense). His compositional style is quite witty and tuneful—a major characteristic of his writing is his penchant for stringing melodies together. Poulenc was largely self-taught; as a result, rather than traditional classical forms, his music displays much more influence from contemporary music like Ravel’s, Stravinsky’s, and Debussy’s, as well as jazz, ragtime, and cabaret. His works tend to be loosely organized, with sections differentiated by colors rather than tonal areas. Themes sometimes return, but they do not really develop; his style is far from Beethoven, Brahms, or Wagner. If anything, tools for thematic development like melodic inversion are more prominent in his references to his own works.