Modernist & 20Th-Century Composers Codexery

Francis Poulenc

French composer and pianist.

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Francis Poulenc was a French composer and pianist, born on 7 January 1899 and died on 30 January 1963. He is listed among the modernist composers of France in the source, which includes his name alongside figures like Claude Debussy, André Jolivet, Olivier Messiaen, Darius Milhaud, Maurice Ravel, and Erik Satie. Therefore, this introduction is limited to the information directly supported: his nationality, birth and death years, and his inclusion in the French modernist list.

Lore & Background

Francis Poulenc (1899–1963) as a French modernist composer. The only information available is his name, birth and death years, and his country of origin (France).

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Francis Poulenc?

Francis Poulenc was a French composer and pianist born in Paris in 1899 who became one of the most distinctive voices of 20th-century French music. He was a founding member of Les Six, the Parisian group of composers who reacted against Debussy's impressionism.

What are Francis Poulenc's most famous works?

His best-known pieces span many genres, including the ballet Les Biches, the Concert champêtre for harpsichord, the Organ Concerto, the opera Dialogues des Carmélites, and the choral work Gloria. His early piano suite Mouvements perpétuels (1919) remains a staple of the recital repertoire.

Was Francis Poulenc a member of Les Six?

Yes, Poulenc was one of the six composers in Les Six, alongside figures such as Darius Milhaud and Arthur Honegger. The group was loosely united by a shared reaction against the perceived excesses of Debussy, though each member developed a highly individual style.

When and how did Francis Poulenc die?

Poulenc died on 30 January 1963 in Paris at the age of 64. He had been in declining health in his final years and passed away relatively quietly, leaving behind a body of work that continues to be performed across the classical repertoire.

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Test yourself

Three questions drawn from this entry’s sources. Pick an answer to check it.

1. In what year was Francis Poulenc born?

Correct.

Not quite. The answer is 1899.

From the source: “Poulenc was born in the 8th arrondissement of Paris on 7 January 1899, the younger child and only son of Émile Poulenc and his wife, Jenny-Zoé, née Royer.”

2. In which place was Francis Poulenc born?

Correct.

Not quite. The answer is Paris.

From the source: “thumb|alt=19th century buildings in Parisian style|Place des Saussaies, Paris, where Poulenc was born”

3. In what year did Francis Poulenc die?

Correct.

Not quite. The answer is 1963.

From the source: “Francis Jean Marcel Poulenc (; 7 January 189930 January 1963) was a French composer and pianist. His compositions include songs, solo piano works, chamber music, choral pieces, operas, ballets, and orchestral concert music. Among the best-k”

Answers checked against the source article

Sources

Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.

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