Composer

:

Francis Poulenc

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Intermezzo

Compose Date

:

1943

Average_duration

:

4:19

Francis Poulenc's Intermezzo No. 3 in A flat major, FP 118, is a short piano piece that was composed in 1943. It was premiered on May 5, 1943, by the composer himself at the Salle Gaveau in Paris. The piece is part of a set of three intermezzi that Poulenc composed during the early 1940s. The Intermezzo No. 3 in A flat major is a single-movement piece that lasts approximately three minutes. It is characterized by its lyrical and expressive melody, which is accompanied by a simple and delicate accompaniment. The piece is written in A flat major and is in a ternary form, with a central section that contrasts with the outer sections. The piece begins with a gentle and flowing melody that is played in the right hand. The left hand provides a simple accompaniment that consists of broken chords and arpeggios. The melody is repeated several times, with slight variations and embellishments, before transitioning to the central section. The central section of the piece is more dramatic and intense than the outer sections. It is characterized by a series of ascending and descending arpeggios that create a sense of tension and urgency. The melody is also more complex and fragmented, with sudden shifts in dynamics and tempo. After the central section, the piece returns to the opening melody, which is played with even more expressiveness and sensitivity. The piece ends with a gentle and peaceful coda that brings the music to a close. Overall, Poulenc's Intermezzo No. 3 in A flat major is a beautiful and introspective piece that showcases the composer's lyrical and expressive style. It is a testament to Poulenc's ability to create music that is both simple and profound, and it remains a popular work in the piano repertoire to this day.

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