Poulenc F. - Suite Francaise - Piano

This charming suite published in 1935 bears the subtitle d'après Claude Gervaise (16e siècle) and displays Poulenc's inimitable blend of the archaic and the anarchic. The sheet music based on the music of Claude Gervaise was composed as incidental music for the play La Reine Margot. It is origanally scored for pairs of Oboes Bassoons and Trumpets three Trombones Percussion and Harpsichord and then re-arranged for solo Piano in the same year.

The four songs arranged here manifest composer Richard Rodney Bennett?s omnivorous musical sourcework. La belle Au Pied De La Tour was set by Poulenc in his Chansons Francaises. L?amour De Moi is an old Gallic tune that entered the French popular song canon with recordings in the 1970?s by several French singers. La Chaine was frequently sung by chanteuse Damia over the decades of her career from the early 1900?s onward. La Pauvre Mariée tells of the hardships of marriage but is set to a jolly gigue. Movements may be played separately.Composer performer and arranger Richard Rodney Bennett was internationally respected for his serious music and many award-winning film scores(Murder on the Orient Express Nicholas and Alexandra) as well as his works for children and his religious pieces. In addition this markedly versatile musician frequently performed as a jazz pianist and arranger.