Francis Poulenc

Francis Poulenc (1899–1963) was a distinctive French composer whose music blends wit, lyricism, and sudden moments of deep sincerity. A member of the group Les Six, Poulenc rejected late-Romantic heaviness in favor of clarity, elegance, and a conversational musical voice rooted in Parisian culture.

His output spans piano music, chamber works, songs, choral and sacred music, operas, and orchestral works, often marked by sharp contrasts between playful charm and profound introspection. Especially celebrated for his mélodies and piano writing, Poulenc created music that is immediately engaging yet emotionally complex, securing his place as one of the most original voices of 20th-century French music.