Parlez Vous Francaix?

[SymphonicAddict]

I don't have much by him in my collection but what I have I find very engaging. I like the title of this thread very much.

I agree, Jeffrey. His music is full of such charm and authenticity.

[SurprisedByBeauty]

My Uncle, Harpsichordist: Session 001 (Jean Françaix)

https://ionarts.blogspot.com/2019/09/my-uncle-harpsichordist-session-001.html
JEAN FRANÇAIX (1912-1997), L'INSECTARIUM POUR CEMBALO: LA SCOLOPENDRE | DER TAUSENDFÜSSLER | THE SCOLOPENDRA (1:48
PERFORMANCE BY DETLEF GOETZ-LAURSON, 1980

[SonicMan46]

TTT - over 2 years dormant!    Probably have not listened to Jean F. since or before that time?  At the moment I have 8 CDs of his works (long list HERE) - I've re-ordered the list under GENRE and have put in BOLD the works that are on the recordings below (to help me in making further selections?) - the only 'duplicated' discs are the bottom last two of chamber works - the Claris Ensemble is shorter @ 51 mins, so I could see culling out since the Gaudiers covered the same repertoire plus one more piece for 62 1/2 mins.  To date I've not bought any of his piano music, so suggestions welcome; I know that his vocal works have received some comment but I'd not be interested; however, there is MUCH interesting chamber compositions remaining, especially w/ intriguing combinations of wind instruments that would piqued my interest, so suggestions welcomed.  Dave

     

     

[Mirror Image]

You've certainly piqued my interest in Françaix again, Dave. I have several of the recordings you own (all four in first row to be exact), plus these two:



From my own recollection, he wrote in a Neoclassical style a la Stravinsky and Poulenc and basically stuck with this style throughout his compositional career. The adjectives "delightful" and "tuneful" often pop up in reviews of his music, but I imagine there's much more to it.

[joachim]

Jean Français has often composed music that can be described as "perky" or "light". But there are also much deeper works, such as the Apocalypse of Saint John, a "fantastic oratorio"

[Mirror Image]

But there are also much deeper works, such as the Apocalypse of Saint John, a "fantastic oratorio"

Indeed! This one took me by surprise when I first heard it.