Francis Poulenc Popular Songs Ranking [2026]

Impromptu No. 15 “Hommage à Édith Piaf”Francis Poulenc8rank/position

Francis Poulenc – Improvisation 15 Hommage à Edith Piaf

Poulenc, one of the composers known as “Les Six” who were active in the 20th century.

As the title suggests, this piece is an homage to Édith Piaf.

Its circling melody sounds sweet yet wistful, while the lowest voice crafts a shadowed duet with the tune.

Partway through, the music shifts to C major and seems as if it might brighten, but in the end it returns to C minor—expressing a melancholic wavering of the heart.

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Flute SonataFrancis Poulenc9rank/position

Poulenc-FLUTE SONATA 1st Mov. / James Galway

A masterpiece crafted by the French musical giant Francis Poulenc.

Its elegant, melancholic first movement, wistful second movement, and cheerful third movement form a captivating structure that seems to portray the full range of human emotions.

Premiered in June 1957 at the Strasbourg Music Festival, the work was performed by flutist Jean-Pierre Rampal with Poulenc himself at the piano and achieved great success.

The beautiful timbre and virtuosic passages of the flute, along with the exquisite harmony with the piano, create a sound world that will appeal not only to classical music enthusiasts but also to anyone wishing to discover the allure of the flute.

15 Improvisations, FP 63 No. 1Francis Poulenc10rank/position

40th Winners’ Commemorative Concert, Grade C [Gold Prize] Hibiki Fujiura / Poulenc: From 15 Improvisations – No. 1 in B minor; No. 15 in C minor “Hommage à Édith Piaf”

Francis Poulenc, the composer and pianist who made significant contributions to twentieth-century French music, wrote the Fifteen Improvisations.

Among them, No.

1 is particularly noteworthy, vividly reflecting the composer’s rich musicality and distinctive personality.

With a charming atmosphere that evokes a fairy cheerfully twirling on tiptoe and a dazzling display of virtuosity, the piece beautifully balances wit and brilliance, encapsulating Poulenc’s inimitable esprit.

It is also an ambitious work that seeks to fuse the traditional forms of classical music with new modes of modern expression, offering a glimpse into the composer’s profound artistry.

Three Novelettes No. 3Francis Poulenc11rank/position

Novelette, FP 173

This piece is composed based on a theme from the ballet music El amor brujo by the Spanish composer Falla.

A single theme is colored in various ways, resulting in a beautiful work that conveys a melancholic expression.

While dynamic, the piece also shows a wistful character, giving the impression of passion smoldering beneath the surface.

It was dedicated to Gibson, a friend of Poulenc.

Incidentally, the title “Novelette” is French for “short story.”

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Three Perpetual Motions FP.14a No. 3Francis Poulenc12rank/position

Francis Poulenc – Mouvements perpétuels, 3) Alerte

Among the works of Francis Poulenc, a French composer active from the late 19th century to the first half of the 20th, the Three Movements Perpetuels is especially popular.

This charming set, full of the light, urbane wit characteristic of Poulenc—who was largely self-taught—displays a breezy, sophisticated flair.

In particular, the third piece, Alerte, stands out for its irregular rhythms and a buoyant tempo that propels the music from start to finish.

It is a piano work brimming with the youthful brilliance of the young Poulenc.

Intermezzi No. 1, FP 71Francis Poulenc13rank/position

Francis Poulenc – Three Intermezzi [Score Video]

Francis Poulenc, one of the defining French composers of the 20th century.

Composed in 1934, his Three Intermezzi, FP 71, is a masterpiece that vividly reflects his individuality.

The first piece, which begins at a rapid tempo, is striking for its opening chords, the crisp clashes between two voices, and the sometimes lyrical, sometimes quirky shifts in tonality.

It’s a work that conveys Poulenc’s virtuosity and his deep understanding of piano music.

Dialogues des Carmélites de Poulenc – Les grands moments – Atelier d’opéra UdeMFrancis Poulenc14rank/position

Dialogues des Carmélites de Poulenc – Les grands moments – Atelier d’opéra UdeM

Born in 1899, the French composer Francis Poulenc wrote the opera Dialogues of the Carmelites.

The opera is based on a true story about sixteen Carmelite nuns who were executed in 1794.

When it was staged in Paris and elsewhere, it quickly met with great acclaim.