Germaine Tailleferre (1892-1983)

Kate Molleson explores the spry and subtly surprising music of
Germaine Tailleferre


Kate Molleson revels in the spry and subtly surprising music of
Germaine Tailleferre, with guests Barbara Kelly and Caroline
Potter.


Germaine Tailleferre first made a splash in the heady atmosphere
of 1920s Paris. She was part of a lively, bohemian scene in which
poetry and exhibitions went hand in hand with performances of new
music. Her career was given a bump start by the eccentric older
composer, Eric Satie. He was an influential voice in avant-garde
circles, and his support opened a door to wider recognition.
Tailleferre became part of a like-minded set of young composers,
along with Francis Poulenc, Arthur Honegger, Darius Milhaud,
Louis Durey and Georges Auric. Their energy and drive created
exciting new outlets for performances of their music. It was a
journalist, Henri Collet, who coined their eventual collective
name "Les Six". While their artistic paths quickly diversified,
the group remained friends for the rest of their lives.


Tailleferre was a prolific composer, writing in all the genres
from small scale chamber works to large scale works including
cantatas, orchestral scores, ballets and operas. After enjoying
considerable success, by the 1930s her prominence began to fade.
There's some evidence to suggest that her two unhappy marriages,
and the deprivations of living in occupied France, followed by a
temporary exile in the States during the second world war all had
an adverse impact on her career. Despite these setbacks, she
continued to compose and would teach music almost to the very end
of her life. She died in 1983 at the age of 91.


Held back perhaps by her own retiring personality and historical
views of a female composer, Tailleferre's music has been
overshadowed by some of the other members of "Les Six". This week
Kate Molleson brings Germaine Tailleferre's music firmly in to
the limelight. She's joined in studio by two other Tailleferre
enthusiasts, Barbara Kelly from the University of Leeds, and
Caroline Potter, who's currently writing a book about
Tailleferre.


Music Featured:


Deux valses Image for 8 instruments Jeux de plein air Quartet for
Strings Romance in A major Le Marchand d’oiseaux Pas trop vite
Piano Trio Ballade for piano and orchestra Chansons françaises,
No 5 (excerpt) Chansons françaises (Nos 1, 2 & 5) Concerto No
1 for piano and orchestra Violin sonata No 1 (excerpt) Fandango
La nouvelle Cythère (excerpts) Harp Concertino Chansons
Françaises (Nos 3 & 4) Violin sonata No 1 (1st & 4th
mvts) Partita for piano (excerpt) Chansons du folklore Sonata for
Harp Concerto two pianos, chorus and orchestra La cantate du
narcisse Larghetto Suite burlesque (1, Dolente) Ouverture trans.
By John Paynter Il était un Petit Navire (arr for two pianos)
Concertino for flute, piano and chamber orchestra (excerpts)
Pancarte pour une porte d’entrée (song cycle) Sonate Champêtre
for wind and piano Tu mi chamas


Presented by Kate Molleson Produced by Johannah Smith for BBC
Audio in Wales


For full track listings, including artist and recording details,
and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after
broadcast) head to the series page for Germaine Tailleferre
(1892-1983) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001nw40


And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve
featured on Composer of the Week here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z