[Poulenc’s Piano Works] A Curated Selection of Masterpieces by a Composer of Esprit
Francis Poulenc, a composer born in France in 1899, was largely self-taught in music, including composition and performance.
Known as a “composer of esprit” for his preference for sophisticated, urbane works imbued with humor and irony, he left a wide-ranging body of music over his 64-year life, including solo piano pieces, piano concertos, songs, chamber music, operas, and ballets.
In this article, we introduce works for solo piano by Poulenc—pieces that embody his unique worldview, which he upheld without chasing the trends of his time.
Playlist
| [Poulenc’s Piano Works] A Curated Selection of Masterpieces by a Composer of Esprit | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1 | 15 Improvisations, FP 176: No. 15 in C minor, “Hommage à Édith Piaf”Francis Poulenc |  play_arrow | A piano piece Poulenc dedicated to Édith Piaf |
| 2 | Presto in B-flat major, FP 70Francis Poulenc |  play_arrow | A piano piece that condenses the compositional techniques of Poulenc |
| 3 | Three Pieces, FP 48: No. 3 “Toccata”Francis Poulenc |  play_arrow | Poulenc’s Three Pieces are brilliant and virtuosic. |
| 4 | 3 Interludes, FP 118: No. 3Francis Poulenc |  | The beautiful melodies and refined sonorities of Poulenc’s works |
| 5 | Nazel’s Soirée FP.84 “Prelude”Francis Poulenc |  play_arrow | Poulenc depicts the characteristics of his friends through music |
| 6 | Three Novelettes, FP 47/173 No. 3Francis Poulenc |  play_arrow | Poulenc’s distinctive musical works and friendships |
| 7 | Suite “Napoli,” FP 40: No. 3 “Italian Capriccio”Francis Poulenc |  play_arrow | A light and technically demanding miniature composed by Poulenc |
| 8 | Three Perpetual Motions FP.14a No. 3Francis Poulenc |  play_arrow | Three Novelettes by Poulenc |
| 9 | 15 Improvisations, FP 63 No. 1Francis Poulenc |  play_arrow | The Appeal of Francis Poulenc’s “15 Improvisations,” No. 1 |
| 10 | Melancholy FP.105Francis Poulenc |  play_arrow | Introduction to Mélancolie, a piano piece by Poulenc |
| 11 | French Suite, FP 80: No. 1, “Branle de Bourgogne”Francis Poulenc |  play_arrow | An elegant work by Poulenc imbued with love for France |
| 12 | 8 Nocturnes, FP 56 No. 1Francis Poulenc |  play_arrow | Eight Nocturnes by Poulenc |
| 13 | A Stroll, No. 1: On FootFrancis Poulenc |  play_arrow | Poulenc’s “On Foot” is a piece that depicts the scene of an urban stroll. |
| 14 | Intermezzi No. 1, FP 71Francis Poulenc |  play_arrow | Three Intermezzi that showcase Poulenc's individuality |
| 15 | Theme and Variations in A-flat major, FP 151Francis Poulenc |  play_arrow | Poulenc expresses diverse musicality in Theme and Variations |