Poulenc and Bizet piano music

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Anyone fond of Poulenc piano music ? I have only played a couple of "Improvisations" but I find them very delightful. They have their own character, joyful, refreshing, melodic, satyrical at times. How come it's so rarely heard ?

Even worse is Bizet piano music, mostly unknown. However, his "Chants du Rhin" are very beautiful and lyrical pieces, quite simple in structure and technically... well, not too hard, depending on the piece.

Give me your opinion of those two composers piano legacy. Thanks.

[tosca1]

Have you come across Bizet's "Jeux d'enfants" for four hands (piano duet)? These are sparkling, delightful pieces and would be playable for students at intermediate level.  I completely concur in your enthusiasm for Poulenc.  A prolific composer from opera
"Le Dialogue des Carmélites" to piano concerti. His music has a charming bitter-sweet quality and is always captivating.
Regards,
Robert.

[rachfan]

I too have always enjoyed Poulenc.  I find his music to be  eclectic, urbane and witty with touches of romance and nostalgia.  It's difficult to categorize and I can't find enough adjectives to fully capture it.  There is a fine CD of Pascal Roge playing many of Poulenc's short character pieces.  It's on London 425 862-2.  My first introduction to Poulenc (in my younger days) was his Concerto for Two Pianos.  Its still fresh every time I hear it.  As a matter of fact, I'm going to load it up now!

[ayahav]

I also play the flute, although my passion and future is that piano. Poulenc has a great flute and piano sonata, where the piano is a lot more than just accompaniment. The middle movement of that sonata is complete HEART-RENDING. He also has more sonatas for piano and other instruments, but I am notr familiar with those. I could give you names that I know of his other piano works:
-Promenade (a collection of short pieces each entitled journey by ........... plane/train/foot/boat/etc.etc.etc.)
-The Story of Babar the Elephant (a great children's story read by a narrator with piano accompaniment).

Amit