Trois Pièces, FP 48 (Poulenc)
Movements
i Pastorale ii Toccata iii Hymne
Notes
Poulenc was a member of Les Six, a group of neoclassical composers active particularly in interwar Paris. Part of their agenda to seek inspiration in older forms is apparent in 3 pièces, written when Poulenc was not yet 20. He dedicated them to his teacher, Ricardo Viñes.
Viñes’s influence is most apparent in the Pastorale, which stark lines scattered with evocative ornaments and lush harmonies make this melancholic yet tranquil piece almost impressionistic. The Hymne, on the other hand, has more neoclassical restraint and any flare and use of ornaments point to more galant sources of inspiration. The Toccata is a kaleidoscope of colours, weaving fragments of several now-discarded pieces from the first draft of this work together into a flashy showpiece.