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Library Journal Review

Poulenc is the premier composer of French art songs of his generation. His relatively small output is characterized by limpid melodic writing and subtleties of musical and literary nuance. His diary, spanning the years 1939-61, is represented here with the original French text facing the English translation. Poulenc's prose is a fine match for his music: it is dry, urbane, occasionally witty, and reveals a considerable wealth of emotions. Along with some useful advice to performers on tempi, nuance, etc., there is an abundance of gossipy detail that will be of interest only to the most avid aficionados of Poulenc and his circle. Ultimately, readers seeking a greater knowledge of this important oeuvre will be disappointed by this slender volume. A worklist and annotated discography are included. Larry Lipkis, Music Dept., Moravian Coll., Bethlehem, Pa. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

CHOICE Review

Poulenc dedicated his Journal de mes melodies to Pierre Bernac, his artistic collaborator for more than 25 years. Bernac was the chief interpreter of the songs of Poulenc-as performer, teacher, and subsequently as author. Radford, closely associated with Bernac, taught courses in French song interpretation at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London for over 15 years, and provided the English translations of Bernac's important books, The Interpretation of French Song (CH, Jan '71) and Francis Poulenc: The Man and His Songs (CH, Jun '78). Radford's faithful translation for this bilingual edition of Diary of My Songs is introduced by noted British accompanist Graham Johnson. In commenting on his songs with irony and wit, Poulenc provides glimpses into the artistic world of his generation. As Bernac does in his critical writings, Poulenc stresses the need for good vocalism in the performance of his songs, requesting that they be ``very much sung.... I prefer a pretty voice without brains to the pseudo-intelligent singer, usually without voice.... I detest intelligent singers. I like to hear some singing with a good sauce of pedal (the butter!), without which my music is destroyed.'' His repeated request for straightforward singing without affectation frequently is overlooked in contemporary performances, causing them to lack the necessary elements of taste and proportion. This small, intimate book, with its succinct instructions, should be read by anyone who programs Poulenc melodies, and by vocal coaches and teachers of singing. A discography, list of songs, bibliography, and illustrations are included. Essential for music libraries.-R. Miller, Oberlin College