One of the supposedly second-tier composers that I like is Francis Poulenc.
His music was always pleasant and witty, but in his later years it also acquired a melancholy depth.
He was one of the first openly gay composers, despite being strongly catholic as well.
He lived and composed into the 1960s and his beautiful yet meaningful music is a real reproach to the avant-garde generation of European composers of that time -- who have churned out unlistenable and posing music that has accounted for a lot of the image problems that classical music has today.
Anyway, to me he shines brighter in his chamber music compositions. Take a listen to the second movement of his clarinet sonata. Autumnal would be the word to describe it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRk0OhP_AAs&feature=related
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1 comment:
My God, what a masterful rendition! Thank you for leading me to this video. The Poulenc clarinet sonata has long been a favorite, but the matching of the superior musicality of both the pianist and clarinetist makes this version particularly memorable. Thanks! -- Terry (USA)
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