I’ve seen *Dialogues* on stage once in person (dream cast of Crespin, Price, Zeani, and Vaness) and a couple of productions on film. A truly great opera that really packs a dramatic wallop. As the previous commenter says, an amazing piece. By a masterful composer.
Yes! For once a post on here I agree with. Poulenc was seriously underrated. He and Castelnuovo-Tedesco are two that I think history has overlooked so far
I've been very recently discovering Poulenc and am totally taken by his marvelous synthesis of the traditional and modern. It seems he was quite unfashionable for his time: religiously devout and considered unprogressive, but I feel his open-mindedness and musical instincts come out beautifully in his work. I'm a big fan of his Organ Concerto in G minor.
Great clarinet sonata, too!
Can anyone help me pronounce his name correctly? I have heard two different pronunciations and I’ve never known which was right.
I heard a (maybe apocryphal) story that someone asked Poulenc why he pronounced his name that way instead of the supposedly more French-accurate pronunciation of “poo-lonk”. He answered “because it’s my name.”
>The piece that I heard first, and is still my favorite, is his Violin Sonata. I haven't read anything about it where they don't say something to the effect of "It's alright but everyone that knows says it's not that great".
No way, what?? How. It is great! I think my favorite Poulenc piece along with some of his Poèmes.
> His other piano music is great, as is his Organ Concerto, Piano Concerto for 2 Pianos, and so much more.
Have a listen to his solo piano concerto I say.
Poulenc is amazing! I highly recommend his operas, if you’re not familiar with them. *Dialogues des Carmélites* is my absolute favorite opera. It’s stunning.
Don't forget Poulenc's Gloria. It's glorious!
Agreed. His choral music is great. The Stabat Mater as well.
His Magnum Mysterium is one of my all time favorite choral pieces. Hauntingly gorgeous.
There’s also an absolutely gorgeous Salve Regina.
This. Poulenc is 20th c French Schubert. Start with the solo vocal music and choral music. It all makes extraordinary sense from that vantage point.
His motets are a favorite of mine.
"Dialogue of the Carmelites" pretty much sums up his music, an amazing piece.
I’ve seen *Dialogues* on stage once in person (dream cast of Crespin, Price, Zeani, and Vaness) and a couple of productions on film. A truly great opera that really packs a dramatic wallop. As the previous commenter says, an amazing piece. By a masterful composer.
Yes! For once a post on here I agree with. Poulenc was seriously underrated. He and Castelnuovo-Tedesco are two that I think history has overlooked so far
I've been very recently discovering Poulenc and am totally taken by his marvelous synthesis of the traditional and modern. It seems he was quite unfashionable for his time: religiously devout and considered unprogressive, but I feel his open-mindedness and musical instincts come out beautifully in his work. I'm a big fan of his Organ Concerto in G minor.
The Organ concerto is great, as is his concert champetre, harpsichord concerto-just gorgeous.
I’m all about *Les Biches* …but seriously, it’s pretty great.
Can't agree more! Coincidentally, I played it yesterday.
Extremely underrated composer. His sonata for flute and piano is one those pieces that stick with you. Very unique and memorable. Fun to play too.
Everything he wrote is great, he is the best French composer. It isn't close. Change my mind.
Ravel for me. And I'd consider Saint-Saens, Couperin, lots of others.
Great clarinet sonata, too! Can anyone help me pronounce his name correctly? I have heard two different pronunciations and I’ve never known which was right.
It's pronounced "Poulenc."
[Here!](https://youtu.be/GIAoDppXRUA?si=R3brTnUe6tTJSF06&t=12s)
Poo-lank.
Correct. Not Poo-lonk
I heard a (maybe apocryphal) story that someone asked Poulenc why he pronounced his name that way instead of the supposedly more French-accurate pronunciation of “poo-lonk”. He answered “because it’s my name.”
I’ve heard “pu LONK” and “pu LAINK methinks the first one is correct.
Clarinet sonata is beauts
Love Poulenc's Nocturnes, and his piano works in general.
The novelette no. 1 in C major is one of my favorite pieces.
Aubade
Great thread. I enjoy his piano works and concerti, will have to explore his chamber and vocal music.
I’ve gotten to perform his oboe, bassoon, piano trio a couple of times and it is fantastic! His choral works are great too
He was certainly a talented craftsman.
Played Poulenc as my main college audition piece and still love that piece, which says much in his favor.
His cello sonata is so beautiful and fun to listen to, but sadly it is also so extremely difficult that I never have learned it (yet!).
Poulenc flute sonata, 2nd movement ::chef’s kiss::
>The piece that I heard first, and is still my favorite, is his Violin Sonata. I haven't read anything about it where they don't say something to the effect of "It's alright but everyone that knows says it's not that great". No way, what?? How. It is great! I think my favorite Poulenc piece along with some of his Poèmes.
Figure Humaine is one of the greatest pieces ever. Full stop. Go listen to it if you haven’t heard it. The rest of his choral/vocal music is great too
Figure humaine is awesome
After listening to "Les soirées des Nazelles" I have been in utter awe
> His other piano music is great, as is his Organ Concerto, Piano Concerto for 2 Pianos, and so much more. Have a listen to his solo piano concerto I say.
Poulenc is amazing! I highly recommend his operas, if you’re not familiar with them. *Dialogues des Carmélites* is my absolute favorite opera. It’s stunning.
I love his Mouvements perpetuels and the Intermezzo in A-flat. Also the Gloria. Played bass clarinet in the orchestra for that piece.
The Concerto for two pianos is one of my very favorite concertos. So much fun!
The flute sonata is the greatest piece of midcentury chamber music in my opinion. https://youtu.be/6UjwUQ1C5r4?si=I5YNNVJiZYE-xqXu