Francis Poulenc (1899-1963) was a French composer and pianist, and one of the group known as Les Six. Born in Paris, he developed a voice that could be witty, tender, worldly and devout in quick succession.

His works include songs, piano music, chamber works, concertos, choral music and operas such as Dialogues des Carmélites and Les mamelles de Tirésias. His sacred choral music became central to his later reputation.

Poulenc’s music is clear, melodic and sharply characterised, with a gift for sudden emotional turns. It can move from boulevard sparkle to religious intensity without changing its handwriting.

He remains one of the most loved French composers of the twentieth century. Poulenc’s best music smiles, kneels and raises an eyebrow, often within the same phrase.