Francis Poulenc

by Benjamin Ivry

The consistent wit and charm of the music of Francis Poulenc (1899-1963), has often led to an underestimation of its value, yet there is now a growing recognition of his stature. His music is simple and direct, and neither rhythmically nor harmonically innovative, but he was a distinguished and inventive melodist. In Ivry's biography, Poulenc's work is dicussed in the context of his homosexuality and against the colourful background of Paris in the first half of the century. His love affairs with working-class men and his sensitivity about his role in the wartime occupation of France have been somewhat obscured; in this fresh and amusing biography, however, the author uses recently published documents to shed new light on the composer and the man, and presents a three-dimensional portrait of this complex and sometimes contradictory composer.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 071483503X
• ISBN13: 9780714835037
• Release Date: September 1996
• Publisher: Phaidon Press
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 1.42 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.1" x 8.6"
• Age Range: 13 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 8 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

Nothing to hide

Loved the zest with which this was written! A life lived without apologies, maybe a bit lightweight, but wit and charm are intrinsic to his music & his character.

standard life of poulenc in english

This is by far the best written account of the compositions and life of the French composer Poulenc. It is readable, reliable, and amusing, and there is nothing like it currently available. There are other books like a professor's tedious and Germanic study which is about three times as long but this is the only book in the lighthearted spirit of Poulenc.