Poulenc

1954 · 327180 — Paris: Rene Juliard 1954. First edition advance review copy with "S. P." stamp on rear cover. 223pp. Spine is moderately browned front cover has light two-inch soil mark rear cover has a tiny chip else a very good copy unopened copy; the text printed on acidic paper is moderately tanned. First edition advance review copy with "S. P." stamp on rear cover. 223pp. A distinguished association copy between two giants of 20th-Century musical composition who first met in Paris in the 1920's when Poulenc was associated with Les Six and Virgil Thomson was touring with a Harvard musical group. Writing on Poulenc's one hundredth anniversary Roger Clement stated: "Born in 1899 Poulenc first drew attention to himself as a composer with his piano works. At the age of 19 his 'Mouvements perpetuals' for piano garnered widespread admiration and the support of Erik Satie who was to play a major role in leading Poulenc away from impressionism and towards a clearer and more classical style. his main talent was as a melodist and some of his many songs rank not only among his best works but among the finest examples of French music in the 20th century.". Composer Virgil Thomson 1896-1989 following his education at Harvard went to Paris and studied with Nadia Boulanger. Paul Wittke states: "In the summer of 1921 at the invitation of the French government Davison and the Harvard Glee Club embarked on a European tour. Thomson who had just been awarded a John Knowles Paine Teaching Fellowship for a year's music study in Paris was the accompanist. The vivacity of the group's performance so impressed Satie Poulenc and Milhaud that they offered to write music for them. Rene Juliard unknown