Francis Poulenc (jan 1, 1899 – jul 1, 1963)
Description:
a French composer and pianist. His compositions include songs, solo piano works, chamber music, choral pieces, operas, ballets, and orchestral concert music.New Fashions: Les Six
1. A new group of composers who followed Satie were known as Les Six: Poulenc, Milhaud, Auric, Honegger, Tailleferre, and Durey.
2. Satie conceived of musique d’ameublement (furniture music), which is background music—not meant to be listened to.
3. American popular music figured prominently in their aims.
From Subject to Style: Surrealist “Classicism”
1. During World War II, Poulenc turned away from surrealism to more religious subject matter, but returned to it in 1944.
2. Milhaud’s surrealism relates to his theory of polytonality—a collage of keys.
a. Taken apart, the elements are ordinary. It is in the placing together that the surrealism is present
Added to timeline:
Date:
jan 1, 1899
jul 1, 1963
~ 64 years