Diary of My Songs: Journal De Mes Melodies

by Francis Poulenc

A unique record of Poulenc (1899-1963) who is considered the greatest composer of melodies of his period, a period that opened with the aftermath of the First World War and closed as recently as 1960. He set to music poetry by all the greatest French twentieth century poets as well as others from earlier times. He wrote this diary of songs as an answer to what he felt were the frequent misinterpretations of his work. It describes the origins of each song, comments on performances he heard and offers guidelines for interpretation. The diary is filled out with explanatory notes, a collection of unfamiliar photographs and the English translation to the text written opposite the French original. It will appeal to singers who include French song in his or her repertoire and also to those who have an interest in music of this period. The translator, Winifred Radford is also the singer who gave the first performance in England of Poulenc's song cycle "Fiancailles pour rire" in 1945. She was coached by Poulenc and Pierre Bernac with whom she later wrote "The Interpretation of French Song " and "Francis Poulenc, The Man and his Songs".

Genres: Music

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1985

Reviews

[Selin]

Wanna read

[Bruce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a diary of daily life but a series of instructions, compiled over a period of nearly twenty years, on how his songs should be sung (inspired by a woman he heard "caterwauling" on the radio in November 1939). I don't know much of Poulenc's music but am inspired to find some to listen to. The English language editor promises that with certain of Poulenc's songs "Paris returns in a flash... the stamping ground of Cocteau and Picasso, the site of Max Jacob's slum and Marie-Blanche de Polignac's salon."

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've turned to this book time and again...as a voice teacher I've used it to help me know the origins and thoughts behind the songs written by the composer. It's fun to read the dual-language version and see things in the original French (but have the comfort of a really good English translation side-by-side). I love Poulenc's songs, and I appreciate this great resource book for singers and singing teachers.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

How could it be that so many modest poems had appeared there in such modest guise?
- Poulenc