Francis Poulenc

Nos Souvenirs Qui Chantent

This title is taken from the compilation French Songs And Choruses For Mixed-Voice Choir (NOV165198) This song, clearly not originally intended for the classical concert stage, is a pretty piece in an old-fashioned popular music style. It has the quality of a popular valse-musette, the kind of waltz-song that might be heard in a Paris restaurant played by a group with an accordion. Accordingly, it usually is missing from official lists of Poulenc's music. It is not included in either Poulenc's discussion of his songs, Journal de mes mélodies, or the book on interpreting them by his singing partner Pierre Bernac, 'Francis Poulenc: The Man and His Music'. Arranged for SATB byStuart Nicholson.