Klarinet Archive - Posting 000418.txt from 1995/11
From: Fred Jacobowitz <fredj@-----.EDU> Subj: Re: Francaix Concerto Info. Date: Sat, 25 Nov 1995 16:29:08 -0500
Desmond,
According to the information I have been able to glean from
various sources, the following is from program notes I wrote for a degree
recital:
Franaix composed his first piece at age six. After graduating with the
first prize in piano from the Paris Conservatory in 1932, where he
studied with Isidore Philipp, he went on to study composition with Nadia
Boulanger and was considered a brilliant piano virtuoso in the middle of
this century. Francaix's music is known for its essentially
post-impressionist French nature, which goes beyond his use of chromatic
and whole-tone harmonies. His music tends to be bright, fluid, fast and
highly ornamented, stretching the technical limits of the instrument. In
a CD I have with Philippe Couper playing, Francaix is quoted as saying
"This concerto is, or at least I hope it is, amusing to listen to. It is
a kind of areobatics display for the ear, complete with loops,
wing-turns, and nose-dives which are fairly terrifying for the soloist,
who needs to have a good stomach and several thousand flying hours under
his belt. I must say that the poor fellow has been given the full
treatment, including a slow movement full of phrases with great charm but
little time for breathing--rather like a long glide in a plane which is
constantly on the verge of stalling. Finally, the pilot starts his noisy
engines again, but remains carefree to the point of swapping his airforce
[sic] cap for the revolving wig of a clown." Francaix lives in Paris and
was born in 1912. Hope this helps.
Fred Jacobowitz
On Fri, 24 Nov 1995, Desmond Beazley wrote:
> To: klarinet@-----.bitnet
>
>
>
> Does anyone have information about the Francaix clarinet concerto that would
> be suitable for program notes.
>
> =========================================================================
> Desmond Beazley Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra
> =========================================================================
>
>
> desmond@-----.il
>
> ---
> ~ RM 1.31 2649 ~
>
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