Francis Poulenc

Francis Jean Marcel Poulenc (French: [fʁɑ̃sis ʒɑ̃ maʁsɛl pulɛ̃k]; 7 January 1899 – 30 January 1963) was a French composer and pianist. His compositions include songs, solo piano works, chamber music, choral pieces, operas, ballets, and orchestral concert music. Among the best-known are the piano suite Trois mouvements perpétuels (1919), the ballet Les biches (1923), the Concert champêtre (1928) for harpsichord and orchestra, the Organ Concerto (1938), the opera Dialogues des Carmélites (1957), and the Gloria (1959) for soprano, choir, and orchestra.

As the only son of a prosperous manufacturer, Poulenc was expected to follow his father into the family firm, and he was not allowed to enrol at a music college. He studied with the pianist Ricardo Viñes, who became his mentor after the composer's parents died. Poulenc also made the acquaintance of Erik Satie, under whose tutelage he became one of a group of young composers known collectively as Les Six. In his early works Poulenc became known for his high spirits and irreverence. During the 1930s a much more serious side to his nature emerged, particularly in the religious music he composed from 1936 onwards, which he alternated with his more light-hearted works.

In addition to his work as a composer, Poulenc was an accomplished pianist. He was particularly celebrated for his performing partnerships with the baritone Pierre Bernac (who also advised him in vocal writing) and the soprano Denise Duval. He toured in Europe and America with both of them, and made a number of recordings as a pianist. He was among the first composers to see the importance of the gramophone, and he recorded extensively from 1928 onwards.

In his later years, and for decades after his death, Poulenc had a reputation, particularly in his native country, as a humorous, lightweight composer, and his religious music was often overlooked. In the 21st century, more attention has been given to his serious works, with many new productions of Dialogues des Carmélites and La voix humaine worldwide, and numerous live and recorded performances of his songs and choral music.

Birth and Death Data: Born January 7, 1899 (Paris), Died January 30, 1963 (Paris)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1928 - 1938

Roles Represented in DAHR: piano, composer

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Gramophone 0LA2453 10-in. 4/6/1938 Le jardin mouillé Pierre Bernac ; Francis Poulenc Baritone vocal solo, with piano instrumentalist, piano  
Gramophone 0LA2454 10-in. 4/6/1938 Coeur en péril Pierre Bernac ; Francis Poulenc Baritone vocal solo, with piano instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia (U.K.) WLX272 12-in. 3/7/1928 Trio pour piano, hautbois et basson : Andante Gustave Dhérin ; Roland Lamorlette ; Francis Poulenc Piano trio composer, instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia (U.K.) WLX273 12-in. 3/7/1928 Trio pour piano, hautbois et basson : Presto, 1re partie Gustave Dhérin ; Roland Lamorlette ; Francis Poulenc Piano trio instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WLX274 12-in. 3/7/1928 Trio pour piano, hautbois et basson : Presto, 2e partie Gustave Dhérin ; Roland Lamorlette ; Francis Poulenc Piano trio instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WLX275 12-in. 3/7/1928 Trio pour piano, hautbois et basson : Rondo Gustave Dhérin ; Roland Lamorlette ; Francis Poulenc Piano trio instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WLX328 12-in. 4/5/1928 A) le dromadaire Claire Croiza Female vocal solo, with piano instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WLX363 12-in. 5/7/1928 L'invitation au voyage Claire Croiza Female vocal solo, with piano instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia (U.K.) WLX488 12-in. 6/22/1928 Les biches : No. 3 adagietto Francis Poulenc Piano solo instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WLX489 12-in. 6/22/1928 Les biches : No. 2 rondeau Francis Poulenc Piano solo instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WL947 10-in. 3/7/1928 Mouvements perpétuels Francis Poulenc Piano solo instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WL1209 10-in. 6/22/1928 Mouvements perpétuels Francis Poulenc Piano solo instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WL1212 10-in. 6/22/1928 Ariettes oubliées Claire Croiza ; Francis Poulenc Mezzo-soprano vocal solo, with piano instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia (U.K.) WLX1613 12-in. 6/11/1932 Deux novelettes pour piano: 1) En ut majeur; 2) En si bémol mineur Francis Poulenc Piano solo instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WLX1614 12-in. 6/11/1932 Caprice pour piano d'après le final du "bal masqué" Francis Poulenc Piano solo instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WL1968 10-in. approximately December 16 through 30, 1929 Airs chantés Suzanne Peignot ; Francis Poulenc Soprano vocal solo, with piano instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WL1969 10-in. approximately December 16 through 30, 1929 Airs chantés Suzanne Peignot ; Francis Poulenc Soprano vocal solo, with piano instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WL2013 10-in. 1/20/1930 Aubade Orchestre des concerts Straram ; Francis Poulenc ; Walter Straram Piano with orchestra instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WL2014 10-in. 1/20/1930 Aubade Orchestre des concerts Straram ; Francis Poulenc ; Walter Straram Piano with orchestra instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WL2015 10-in. 1/20/1930 Aubade Orchestre des concerts Straram ; Francis Poulenc ; Walter Straram Piano with orchestra instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WL2016 10-in. 1/20/1930 Aubade Orchestre des concerts Straram ; Francis Poulenc ; Walter Straram Piano with orchestra instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WL2017 10-in. 1/22/1930 Aubade Orchestre des concerts Straram ; Francis Poulenc ; Walter Straram Piano with orchestra instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WL2018 10-in. 1/22/1930 Aubade Orchestre des concerts Straram ; Francis Poulenc ; Walter Straram Piano with orchestra instrumentalist, piano, composer  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Poulenc, Francis," accessed November 7, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/360027.

Poulenc, Francis. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 7, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/360027.

"Poulenc, Francis." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 7 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/360027

Wikipedia content provided under the terms of the Creative Commons BY-SA license

Feedback

Send the Editors a message about this record.