POULENC, FRANCIS. (1899-1963). French composer and pianist. AMusQS. (“Francis Poulenc”). 1p. Oblong 8vo. (6” x 8¾”). N.p. August, 1924. Inscribed in French to violinist, critic and musicologist MARC PINCHERLE (1888-1974), known for his Vivaldi biography and the cataloging of his Vivaldi. Three double measures from Les Biches.

Unlike many of his colleagues for whom complex tonal and rhythmical innovation were paramount, Poulenc believed in the importance of melody and “found his way to a vast treasury of undiscovered tunes within an area that had, according to the most up-to-date musical maps, been surveyed, worked and exhausted,” (The New Grove Dictionary). One of his best-known works, Les Biches was written in 1923 for Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes and had its premiere in Monte Carlo on January 6, 1924, just seven months before he penned our quotation. Nijinsky choreographed the surrealistic and mildly erotic ballet that catapulted Poulenc to success. Like the ballet’s subject, the title of the work is deliberately ambiguous and laden with multiple meanings: “les biches” means both “the does” and “the darlings.”

In addition to his foundational biography of Vivaldi, Pincherle rediscovered several baroque composers. His organization of Vivaldi’s works led to them being referred to by their Pincherle or “P” number designations.

Darkly penned on printed music paper and in fine condition.