April 19th

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, Europe, France Adagio, April, Concertino pour harpe et piano, Les Six, Tailleferre

Germaine Tailleferre 19 April 1892 – 7 November 1983

Concertino pour harpe et piano

Adagio

Germaine Tailleferre
Collection Dupondt / akg-images

Germaine Tailleferre was a French composer born in 1892 in Saint-Maur-des-Fossés. She was the only woman in a group called Les Six, which included famous composers like Darius Milhaud and Francis Poulenc. Originally named Marcelle Taillefesse, she changed her name to Tailleferre to show defiance against her father’s disapproval of her musical dreams. She studied at the Paris Conservatoire, where she met other young composers. Together, they aimed to create music that was different from the styles of Wagner and Debussy, focusing on a clear and modern sound.

Tailleferre’s compositions are celebrated for their elegance and charm. She wrote many works, including operas, ballet music, and orchestral pieces. Some of her notable works are the Concertino for Harp and Orchestra and Piano Concerto No. 1. Although her music was not widely recognised for some time, today, she is acknowledged as a pioneering female composer whose work continues to inspire many.

7 January

January 7th: Francis Jean Marcel Poulenc

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, Europe, France 20th Century, Concerto for 2 pianos, Francis Jean Marcel Poulenc, January, Les Six, Neo-Classicism

Francis Jean Marcel Poulenc 7 January 1899 – 30 January 1963

Concerto for 2 pianos II. Larghetto

Francis Poulenc
by Joseph Rosmand, photographer – Francis Poulenc. London: J. & W. Chester. 1922. OCLC 8401408., PD-US, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=44047233

Francis Jean Marcel Poulenc was a notable French composer and pianist, born in Paris. His music includes a variety of genres such as songs, operas, and orchestral works. Poulenc is best known for compositions like the ballet Les biches and the opera Dialogues des Carmélites.

He was part of a group called “Les Six,” which aimed to create a distinct French musical identity in the early 20th century. Poulenc’s early life was marked by personal loss, influencing his music’s emotional depth. He studied under influential figures like Ricardo Viñes and Erik Satie, who shaped his style.

Poulenc’s music is characterised by its blend of light-heartedness and seriousness, particularly evident in his religious works. His melodies are often simple yet expressive, making them memorable. Throughout his career, Poulenc embraced the gramophone’s role in promoting music, recording extensively. Despite being seen as humorous, his serious compositions gained recognition in later years, reflecting the complexity of his artistic contributions to music history.