FRANCIS POULENC

 Is a brilliant composer who was born on

January 7, 1899 in Paris, France and
died on January 30, 1963 in Paris,
France
 He came from a wealthy family and has a
privileged social position
 He was a member of a young French
Composer known as “Les Six”.
 His compositions had a coolly elegant
modernity, tempered by a classical sense
of proportion.
 Poulenc was a successful composer for
piano, voice and choral music.
PUOLENC INSTRUMENTAL WORKS

 Harpsichord concerto known as concert

Champetre (1928)
 Concerto for two Pianos (1932), which combine
the classical touches of Mozart with a refreshing
mixture of wit and exoticism
 Concerto for Solo Piano (1949) written for the
Boston Symphony Orchestra
 Poulenc’s vocal works reveal his strength as a
lyrical melodist.
 “POULENC OPERA WORKS”
 Les Mamelles de Tiresias (1944) – explain his light-
hearted character
 Dialogues des Carmelites (1956) – high lighted his
conservative writing style.
 La Voix Humane (1958) –reflect his own turbulent
emotional life .
 Poulenc’s choral works tended to be more somber and
solemn.
 His musical composition total around 185 which include
solo piano, as well as vocal solos (known as melodies)
which highlights his temperament in his avant- gard
style.
George Gershwin
 Is a Russian Jewish immigrant who was born on
September 26,1898 in Brooklyn, New York and
died on July 11,1937 at the age of 38 in
Hollywood, California, USA.
 Dropped out of school and began playing piano
professionally at the age of fifteen.
 He is one of the most sought musicians in
America.
 A composer of Jazz, Opera, and popular songs
for stage and screen.
 La La Lucille (1919) – his first broadway
musical
 His name became a fixture on broadway
 He also composed Rhapsody in Blue
(1924) and an American in Paris 1928
which incorporated Jazz rhythms with
classical forms
 Gershwin was more fascinated with
classical music .
 He is also a crossover artist
A father of American Jazz
Porgy and Bess (1934) –
remains to this day, the only
American Opera to be
included in the established
repertory of this genre.
 369 musical compositions
include:
 Orchestral Music
 Chamber Music
 Musical Theaters
 Film Musical
 Operas
 Songs
 WHY DO WE NEED TO KNOW THE
MUSIC OF THE 20TH CENTURY??
 DESCRIBE AS THE “AGE OF MUSICAL DIVERSITY”
BECAUSE COMPOSERS HAD MORE CREATIVE FREEDOM ,
COMPOSERS WERE MORE WILLING TO EXPERIMENT WITH
NEW MUSIC FORMS OR REINVENT MUSIC FORMS FROM
THE PAST.
 In short, we need to know the music of
the 20th century so that we can preserve
or reinvent the music of today or in the
past just like what they did.