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French/English. Translated by Machlis. ... Read more

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The consistent wit and charm of Francis Poulenc (1899-1963) has often led to an underestimation of its value, yet there is now a growing recognition of his stature to which this biography will add. Admired for his fine songs and relgious works, he is perhaps best known for his humorous, insouciant pieces. From the freshness of his ballet "Les Biches", composed for Diaghilev in 1924, to his ambitious 1956 opera, "Dialogues des Carmelites", the author discusses Poulenc's work in the context of his homosexuality and against the colourful background of Paris in the first half of the century. His friendships with such key figures of the time as Jean Cocteau, Igor Stravinksy and Darius Milhaud were complex, but always artistically enriching. For 25 years he toured as an accompanist to the great French baritone, Pierre Barnac, for whom he wrote many of his works, and also performed as piano soloist in some of his own compositions. Despite the contradition between Poulen'c frequent homosexual encounters and his Catholic piety, he accepted both aspects of his nature, and was directly inspired by his lovers when composing some of his best religious music.His own self-image as an ageing homosexual was expressed indirectly in his one-act opera, "La Voix humaine" (1958) and more explicitly in the vocal work "La Dame de Monte Carlo" (1961). The composer's love affairs with working-class men and his sensitivity about his role in wartime occupation France have always been somewhat obscured; in this fresh insight into Poulen'c life, the author uses recently published documents to shed new light on the composer and the man. A full range of existing documents is cited to form a three-dimensional portrait of the complex and sometimes contradictory composer.Amazon.com Review
The French composer Francis Poulenc (1899-1963) is oftendismissed as the lightweight composer of short, clever pieces, lumpedin with the rest of "Les Six." In this volume--one ofPhaidon's 20th-Century Composers series--author Benjamin Ivry arguesfor more consideration and respect for the man who wrote Dialoguesof the Carmelites. As is the rule with Phaidon's series, the bookis rich in photographs and integrates the composer's life and work ina relatively brief (240 pages, including index), very accessible form;there are no musical examples, although they might behelpful. Mr. Ivry approaches his task with more humor than some of hiscolleagues, and he is open throughout about Poulenc's homosexualityand its effect on the composer's work and personal life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Enigmatic French composer
This is a terrific little book about an enigmatic French composer of the 20th century.Never having been a fan of his music, I wanted to learn more about him and find out what made him "tick".The author doesn't mince words about Poulenc's romantic liaisons but he also has done alot of research concerning Poulenc's music and the world around him during his lifetime and that's the important aspect of the volume. I plan on re-reading the book and I am sure I will find out even more about Poulenc thanI did with the first reading.A great little book.I am most grateful to AMAZON for having this available.I was unable to locate in anywhere.Bravo, AMAZON..
Dr. Alan-Clarke Hudson

Nothing to hide
Loved the zest with which this was written! A life lived without apologies, maybe a bit lightweight, but wit and charm are intrinsic to his music & his character.

standard life of poulenc in english
This is by far the best written account of the compositions and life of the French composer Poulenc. It is readable, reliable, and amusing, and there is nothing like it currently available. There are other books like a professor's tedious and Germanic study which is about three times as long but this is the only book in the lighthearted spirit of Poulenc.

Gossipy, yes. Good???
At last! We are in possession of a tawdry, rambling account of the life of this uniquely gifted composer. The unnecessary focus upon Poulenc's sexual orientation does little to aid the reader's understanding of the subject but perhaps betrays some unresolved issues in the author's psyche.More insightful musical analysis would have been welcome and a broader perspective requisite. I can only partially support the previous reviewer's comment that this is a "good gossipy overview...". Gossipy it IS, without question. Good? A good opportunity wasted.

A good gossipy overview of Poulenc's life
A much needed book, as there is no new biography of Poulenc in English orfor that matter in French since the Henri Hell book of 1958, which wassubsequently revised in the late 1970s.Ivry is much franker aboutPoulenc's private life than earlier writers as the publication ofunexpurgated editions of Poulenc's letters allows this now. I could havedone with some more relevant pictures: for instance there is a two pagespread devoted to a picture of a ballet version of the Gloria, a curiouschoice.There is another book out there waiting to be written about thisfascinating and contradictory character. ... Read more

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Once considered as little more than the froth in the wake of the First World War, a witty boy-hedonist who, in the giddy Twenties, tweaked the noses of moribund establishmentarians, Poulenc has in fact proved unexpectedly durable--more so than any of his colleagues among Les Six, Here is a survey of Poulenc's music, based on careful selection of his works, and written by an authoritative guide. Adopting a broadly chronological approach, Mellers traces Poulenc's development as a composer from enfant terrible to a mature composer both for secular society and for the liturgy of the Catholic Church; in so doing he points to the reasons for the durability and pertinacity of his appeal. Mellers further assesses Poulenc's place in the French tradition, and, in a Postlude, pays tribute to the warm regard with which Poulenc was held by so many of his fellow musicians. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A labor of love
I think to have known Francis Poulenc was to love him, and this book makes it clear what a compelling and kind man Poulenc was. In addition to that, it makes clear the ambiance of the company he kept and the period of musical history in which he kept it. When I finished the book, I sat down at the piano and learned two new(new to me) piano works of his. The book was good enough to spur me in that direction. Very well done!

For inquiring minds who really want to know . . . in detail
While the exhaustive approach of Carl B. Schmidt will not be for everyone, I believe Bonnie Jo Dopp's assesment unfairly shortchanges this book, stating that "This scholarly work is recommended only for research libraries or those that own Schmidt's other Poulenc title and wish to supplement it." Rather, I believe this work is for anyone inclined to read more than one work on Poulenc, for those who on first reading want to see the trees as well as the forest, and for those wishing to get to the bottom of errors and inconsistencies in the other publications.

Dr. Schmidt does not provide any of his own musical analysis, descriptions, or even musical examples, but traces the events of Poulenc's life in comprehensive detail via Poulenc's own voice in writings, interviews and letters. The reporting is factual and with voluminous footnotes, making it possible to retrace his steps. His editorial neutrality and the sheer mass of material makes for a less sophisticated approach than Mellers' or Ivry's books. Some people may prefer this, and in any case I have found it completely absorbing, because the ever-fascinating Poulenc, the "Entrancing Muse" [said Stravinsky], is presented here in unprecedented, vivid detail -- and accurately so.

The quality of this volume strengthens the case for a new English translation of Poulenc's correspondence!

Packed cover to cover with a wealth of detailed lore
One of the Pendragon Press "Lives In Music" series, Carl Schmidt's Entrancing Muse: A Documented Biography Of Francis Poulenc surveys the life and work of a most notable composer who lived from 1899 to 1963. Packed cover to cover with a wealth of detailed lore about the man, his life, and his work, Entrancing Muse is a fascinating read especially recommended for anyone interested in the personality and life experiences of a man responsible for great and critically acclaimed music. ... Read more

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As the first duo of singer and pianist to be perceived as equals in the music world, French baritone Pierre Bernac and pianist composer Francis Poulenc became a legend, working together for more than 25 years. The majority of Poulenc's pieces were created specifically for Bernac to sing. Within this context, Bernac pays tribute to his friend by providing a detailed discussion of all the songs he composed specifically for piano accompaniment. Each song, its description, and the corresponding biographical note on the poet have been translated into English. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Francis Poulenc: The Man & his Songs
This is THE book for singers and anyone interested in the wonderful melodies of Francis Poulenc.

Essential reading for the Poulenc student
Pierre Bernac probably knew Francis Poulenc's songs better than anyone save the composer -- they had a working relationship that stretched across several decades, and Bernac personally premiered the lion's share of Poulenc's song output.This volume is Bernac's tribute to his friend and collaborator, and includes a useful biographical sketch with some amusing anecdotes, and a comprehensive survey of Poulenc's song output (though a few songs including the Eight Polish Songs, Fancy - Poulenc's only English language setting, from Shakespeare - and the Quatre chansons pour enfants are conspicuously missing).Each song includes complete texts and translations and Bernac's notes on composition, general mood and singer's motivation.

This book goes alongside Bernac's The Interpretation of French Song as essential reading for the serious devotee of French melodies.Must reading for anyone thinking about singing Poulenc's songs. ... Read more

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This is a thorough presentation of the works of Francis Poulenc--an often performed and critically appreciated 20th-century composer. Keck traces the events in Poulenc's life and examines those works and performances which most fully document the development of the composer's distinctive musical style. A substantial discography, as well as highly selective annotated entries by and about the composer highlight the text which covers every phase of his career and affirms Poulenc's place in 20th-century music. ... Read more

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Schmidt's catalogue of Poulenc's works represents the first comprehensive listing of his life's works. The book describes each work, finished and unfinished, lists and describes all known editions and manuscript copies, and provides detailed compositional histories, often based on unpublished letters and documents.The catalogue also identifies a number of unpublished works and adds a small group of compositions to Poulenc's canon for the first time. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Must for Poulenc Students
Carl B. Schmidt's 'The Music of Francis Poulenc' is first of all a catalogue of Poulenc's works. It represents the first comprehensive listing of his life's works. No other books comes near this work. 'The Music of Francis Poulenc' describes each work, finished and unfinished, lists and describes all known editions and manuscript copies, and provides detailed compositional histories, often based on unpublished letters and documents. The catalogue also identifies a number of unpublished works and adds a small group of compositions to Poulenc's canon for the first time.
'The Music of Francis Poulenc' is a must for every student of Francis Poulenc's music. It contains train loads of important information and nice factoids. Worth every dime.

Must for Poulenc Students
Carl B. Schmidt's 'The Music of Francis Poulenc' is first of all a catalogue of Poulenc's works. It represents the first comprehensive listing of his life's works. No other books comes near this work. 'The Music of Francis Poulenc' describes each work, finished and unfinished, lists and describes all known editions and manuscript copies, and provides detailed compositional histories, often based on unpublished letters and documents. The catalogue also identifies a number of unpublished works and adds a small group of compositions to Poulenc's canon for the first time.
'The Music of Francis Poulenc' is a must for every student of Francis Poulenc's music. It contains train loads of important information and nice factoids. Worth every dime.

I didn't read this book
I'm looking for the Trial for piano, bassoon and oboe. Do you have it (the partiture of course). Thanks to you! Bye! ... Read more

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Few composers have been such revealing letter writers as Francis Poulenc. From his early youth until his death in 1963 he maintained a lively correspondence with a wide circle of friends, writing - as he spoke - with a compelling need to confide and to share. This colleciton of letters to and from Poulenc brings new understanding of Poulenc's creative processes and of Poulenc the man, the quality of his friendships, his wit and humour, and the nature of the depressions to which he fell prey in his later years. 350 letters are included, most published in English for the first time; and over 100 have never appeared even in French. These contain moving interchanges between Poulenc and the baritone Pierre Bernac, letters which reveal the true extent of Poulenc's reliance on Bernac not only for advice on matters of composition but also for support and counsel during times of emotional turmoil.Other fascinating, newly-discovered items include Poulenc's early communications with Diaghilev, illustrated letters from Cocteau, Stravinsky's last postcard to Poulenc, a eulogy from Edward Sackville-West on "The Carmelites" at Covent Garden, a plea from Rostropovitch for a cello sonata, several letters to Benjamin Britten, and touching exchanges with Manuel de Falla and Paul Eluard. Supplemented by Sidney Buckland's notes, the letters provide an insight not only into Poulenc's life and work, but also into the brilliant world of music, art and literature in France in the first half of this century. ... Read more

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This collection of essays provides insights into Poulenc's world, his particular rapport with painters, writers and fellow musicians, and with the social elite who promoted his music through their salons. Contributions from international Poulenc scholars include the influence of various artists on his music, the nature of his affinity for Eluard's poetry, his response to texts by Cocteau and Bernanos, and his constant search for suitable libretti. Light is thrown on the two friendships, the first with his childhood friend Raymonde Linossier, who introduced him to the world of books, the second to his teacher Charles Koechlin, who greatly influenced his choral style. A detailed study is also provided of Poulenc's four choral works with orchestra. Finally, the reader is allowed a view of Poulenc at the microphone, not as interviewee but as radio presenter, in his 1947-1949 series of programmes, "A Batons Rompus". ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

New valuable information on Francis Poulenc
The book 'Francis Poulenc. Music, Art and Literature' is a must for everybody who wants to get closer to the great French composer Francis Poulenc. Although there are already a great many biographies available,this book gives a wealth of new information about Poulenc's likes andloves, his tastes and distastes, his ambitions and motives. All the authorsof this well edited book, with many new pictures and facimiles, (SindneyBuckland and Myriam Chimenes) have done there research well and with lovefor details. They present their new facts with great taste and distiction.A couple of the subjects dealt with are: Poulenc's 58 lessons from CharlesKoechlin, Poulenc's Choral Works, Raymonde Linossier (how important shereally was!), Nogent Music, Poulenc and Dufy, Poulenc and Matisse, 'Insearch of a libretto', "A Baton Rompu", Poulenc as Disc Jockey.Recommended with five stars. ... Read more

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An updated edition of Poulenc's 1962 Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, edited by Millan Sachania. The piece is dedicated to the memory of Arthur Honegger, and was first performed at Carnegie Hall, New York by Benny Goodman and Leonard Bernstein in 1963. ... Read more

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This Sonata For Flute and Piano is a virtuosic flute solo by renowned influential French composer Francis Poulenc. Written in 1956-57, this is an elegant, dreamy chamber work and he has demonstrated his obvious compositional skill, also highlighting the French affinity with the sweet sounds of the flute. Carefully edited by Carl Schmidt in 1994, this is an authoritative edition that contains a detailed history and comprehensive commentary of the editorial process in English, French and German. ... Read more

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This sheet music was newly engraved from early and authoritative editions. ... Read more