The Sinfonietta, FP 141, is a work for orchestra by Francis Poulenc. Composed in 1947 on a commission from the BBC, it was first performed in London on 24 October 1948, conducted by Roger Désormière. The work, light and full of dance rhythms, is in four movements.
| Sinfonietta | |
|---|---|
| by Francis Poulenc | |
.jpg) Francis Poulenc in 1930 | |
| Catalogue | FP 141 |
| Occasion | Anniversary of the BBC's Third Programme |
| Composed | 1947 |
| Movements | 4 |
| Scoring | small symphony orchestra |
| Premiere | |
| Date | 24 October 1948 |
| Location | London |
| Conductor | Roger Désormière |
| Performers | Philharmonia Orchestra |
History
editPoulenc, who initially was urged to study business by his parents, came to music late, without much formal education. He scored a success with a full-length ballet, Les biches, written on a commission by Diaghilev and premiered in Monte Carlo in 1924. A young audience cherished the unsophisticated fresh charm, and the composer received commissions in the wake of the success.[1] He composed the Sinfonietta in 1947 on a commission from the BBC for the first anniversary of their Third Programme.[2] It was first performed in a broadcast concert in London on 24 October 1948, played by the Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Roger Désormière.[3] Poulenc made his first concert tour to the U.S. the same year, which increased his international recognition.[1]
Structure
editThe composition, Poulenc's only symphonic work,[1] is in four movements:[4][5]
- Allegro con fuoco
- Molto vivace
- Andante cantabile
- Très vite et très gai
The work is light and full of dance rhythms,[4][5] at times satirical.[1] The first movement begins forcefully but is contrasted with melodic elements.[4] The second movement of scherzo character[1] is reminiscent of the last movement of the ballet Les biches,[4] and has "brief misterioso moments".[1] The third movement is gentle,[4] with an expansive melodic theme.[1] The final recalls last movements by Haydn with "folksy" themes,[1] and "scurries along to a breathless conclusion", as James Harding described in 1989 liner notes.[4]
Scoring
editThe Sinfonietta is scored for a small symphony orchestra consisting of 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets in B♭, 2 bassoons, 2 French horns (in F), 2 trumpets in C, harp, timpani, and strings.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h Smith 2019.
- ^ Morgan 2018.
- ^ Schmidt 1995.
- ^ a b c d e f Harding 1989.
- ^ a b Ewen 1959.
- ^ Sinfonietta, FP 141 (Poulenc, Francis): Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
Cited sources
edit- Ewen, David (1959). Encyclopedia of Concert Music. New York: Hill and Wang.
- Harding, James (1989). "Sinfonietta". Hyperion Records. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
- Morgan, Dan (May 2018). "Francis Poulenc (1899–1963) / Les biches / Les animaux modèles / Sinfonietta". musicweb-international.com. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
- Schmidt, Carl B. (1995). The Music of Francis Poulenc (1899–1963): A Catalogue. Oxford: Clarendon Press. ISBN 9780191585166.
- Smith, Luke (31 May 2019). "Poulenc: Sinfonietta". Lakeview Orchestra. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
External links
edit- Sinfonietta für Orchester (in German) sikorski.de
- Poulenc – Sinfonietta / Nathalie Stutzmann (2014 on YouTube