Francis Poulenc's music is characterized by subtlety, humor, genuine emotion, piquant harmonies, and rhythmic lightness.
The album also includes the first digital recording of the suite from Les Animaux modèles, arranged by Grant Johannesen with the composer's agreement.
This album features world premiere recordings of Francis Poulenc's own piano versions of his ballets Les Biches and Aubade.
The suite from Les Animaux modèles, featured on this album, was inspired by the fables of La Fontaine, a 17th-century French fabulist.
The piano was an indispensable tool in Francis Poulenc's compositional process, beyond its use in ballet rehearsals.
Francis Poulenc's love of classical dance stemmed from his close working relationship with Dyaghilev, a Russian art critic and ballet impresario.
Francis Poulenc's ballet Les Biches is described as a 'ballet of atmosphere', while Aubade is a 'choreographic concerto'.
