History of the work#

Composed in 1940, the mélodies were premiered at salle Gaveau, on 14 December 1940, by Pierre Bernac (baritone) and the composer (piano).

Titles#

Chanson d’Orkenise # Hôtel # Fagnes de Wallonie # Voyage à Paris # Sanglots#

Source of the poems#

“Chanson d’Orkenise”, “Fagnes de Wallonie” and “Sanglots” are taken from the collection Il y a (1925). “Hôtel”, written in 1913, was published in the posthumous collection Le Guetteur mélancolique (1952). “Voyage à Paris” was published in the Poèmes retrouvés from the Œuvres poétiques by Apollinaire in 1956.

Dedicatees#

“Chanson d’Orkenise” is dedicated to Claude Rostand, “Hôtel” to Marthe Bosredon, “Fagnes de Wallonie” to Ms. Henri Frédéricq, “Voyage à Paris” to Paul Éluard, and “Sanglots” to Suzette Chanlaire.

Discography#

• Pierre Bernac (baritone) and Francis Poulenc (piano) in 1950 (Naxos).
• 1 and 2: Régine Crespin (soprano) and John Wustman (piano) in 1967 (Decca).
• Nathalie Stutzmann (contralto) and (piano) (RCA).
• Michel Piquemal (baritone) and Christine Lajarrige (piano) (Naxos).
• Véronique Gens (soprano) and Roger Vignoles (piano) (Erato).

Quote#

• One song by the band Pink Martini, “Sympathique”, is inspired by the poem “Hotel” by Apollinaire and its setting to music by Poulenc.

External links#

• Banalités on IMSLP
• Pierre Bernac sings “Banalites” of Poulenc with Poulenc on YouTube