Francis Poulenc

Donald Macleod surveys the life and work of Francis Poulenc, a
man full of contradictions


This week Donald Macleod explores five aspects of Poulenc’s
personality and how they find expression in his music. 'In
Poulenc there is something of the monk and something of the
rascal' said the composer’s friend Claude Rostand - but there
were other sources of inspiration that drove him. From the
gregarious exploits of his youth to his serious engagement with
Catholicism, from schmoozing in high society salons to the calm
he sought at his country retreat and his struggles with
depression, Donald surveys the life and music of a man full of
contradictions.


Music featured: Chanson à boire Cocardes La Dame de Monte-Carlo
Les Biches (Suite) Chansons Gaillardes Nocturne No 4 in C minor
‘Bal fantôme’ Concert Champêtre (1st movement) Trois poèmes de
Louise Lalanne Tel Jour, Telle Nuit Concerto in D minor for two
pianos and orchestra Ce doux petit visage Chansons villageoises
(excerpt) Les Animaux modèles Figure Humaine Priez pour paix
Litanies à la Vierge Noire Stabat Mater Sonata for two pianos
(3rd movement) Dialogues des Carmélites (Act II, Scene 4) Sonata
for flute and piano (2nd movement) Gloria Élégie for horn and
piano Sept Répons des Ténèbres (V-VI-VII)


Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Megan Jones for BBC Wales


For full tracklistings, 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 Francis Poulenc
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0003sh5 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