Composer Francis Poulenc Is Dead

Jan. 30, 1963 - Francis Poulenc (pictured in 1952), one of the most important French contemporary composers, died of a heart attack at his home in Paris today. He was 64 years old. Mr. Poulenc had been one of the brightest lights of the French musical world for almost half a century. He attracted attention at the age of 18 when he composed a “Negro Rhapsody” for voice accompanied by flute, clarinet, string quartet, and piano. It was partly this use of unusual combinations that made him a center of musical interest all his life. He was an accomplished pianist, both as soloist and accompanist. With Pierre Bernac, the French baritone, he formed a team that performed all over the world. He was an officer of the French Legion of Honor and an honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

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