Composer

:

Francis Poulenc

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Improvisation

Compose Date

:

1959

Average_duration

:

3:15

Francis Poulenc's 'Improvisation No. 15 in C minor, FP 176 Hommage à Édith Piaf' is a solo piano piece that was composed in 1959 as a tribute to the French singer Édith Piaf, who had passed away the previous year. The piece was premiered by the pianist Jacques Février on January 22, 1960, at the Salle Gaveau in Paris. The 'Improvisation No. 15' is a single-movement work that is characterized by its melancholic and introspective mood. The piece begins with a slow and mournful melody in the left hand, which is then joined by a simple and repetitive accompaniment in the right hand. The melody is then developed and expanded upon, with the right hand adding more complex harmonies and rhythms. As the piece progresses, the mood becomes more intense and dramatic, with the left hand playing a series of powerful chords and the right hand adding virtuosic flourishes. The piece then returns to its initial melancholic mood, with the left hand playing a simple and plaintive melody while the right hand adds delicate and intricate ornamentation. Overall, the 'Improvisation No. 15' is a deeply emotional and expressive work that showcases Poulenc's skill as a composer and his ability to convey complex emotions through music. The piece is a fitting tribute to Édith Piaf, who was known for her passionate and heartfelt performances, and it remains a beloved work in the piano repertoire to this day.

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