‘Francis Poulenc is music itself, I know no music more direct, more simply expressed nor which goes so unerringly to its target.’ This praise from Darius Milhaud can be applied to all of Poulenc’s music, but the chamber works represent a lifetime of working with virtuoso friends or following an urgent desire to compose, reflecting the essence of his instantly recognisable and deeply personal style. They range from Poulenc’s youthful creativity as a member of the Groupe des Six, via a rich seam of masterpieces, to the sonatas composed as his final works. Acclaim for these recordings can be summed up by the comment ‘you simply can’t go wrong with any of the discs in this series.’ (ClassicsToday.com on their original release).

Poulenc: Bagatelle in D minor
Poulenc: Capriccio (d'après Le Bal masqué) for two pianos
Poulenc: Cello Sonata, Op. 143
Poulenc: Clarinet Sonata, Op. 184
Poulenc: Cocardes
Poulenc: Elégie for horn and piano, Op. 168
Poulenc: Elégie for two pianos, FP175
Poulenc: Flute Sonata, Op. 164
Poulenc: L'Embarquement pour Cythère, for 2 pianos
Poulenc: L'histoire de Babar, le petit éléphant
Poulenc: L'Invitation au Chateau
Poulenc: Le Bal masqué
Poulenc: Le Bestiaire ou Cortege d'Orphee
Poulenc: Leocadia
Poulenc: Oboe Sonata, Op. 185
Poulenc: Quatre Poems de Max Jacob
Poulenc: Rapsodie négre
Poulenc: Sarabande for solo guitar, Op. 179
Poulenc: Sextet for piano and wind quintet, Op. 100
Poulenc: Sonata for Clarinet and Bassoon, Op. 32
Poulenc: Sonata for Horn, Trumpet & Trombone, Op. 33
Poulenc: Sonata for Piano Four Hands (à mademoiselle Simone Tilliard)
Poulenc: Sonata for Two Clarinets, Op. 7
Poulenc: Sonata for Two Pianos
Poulenc: Trio for piano, oboe and bassoon
Poulenc: Villanelle for piccolo (pipe) and piano
Poulenc: Violin Sonata, FP 119