Biography of Jean Françaix (1912-1997)

23.05.1912
Born in Le Mans being son to music loving parents (Father was director of the conservatory in Le Mans, a pianist, composer and musicologist, mother: violinist, singing teacher and founder of Le Mans Women's Choir)
1918
First compositions
Lessons at Le Mans conservatory
1922
The talent of the boy is spotted by Nadia Boulanger
Ravel asked his parents to support the mujsical abilities of their son
1924
Studies at Paris conservatory with Boulanger (composition) and Philipp (piano)
1930
First price of the conservatory for piano
1932
Signed up by music publisher Schott, composition of Quintet for flute, violin, viola, cello and harp
1933
Quartet for flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoon
26.04.1936
First Performance of the Quartet at the Concerts du Triton in Paris by the members of the Paris Wind Quintett
1948
Woodwind quintett No. 1, dedicated to his friends, the woodwind players of Orchestre National de Paris
1950
Prix du Portique for his work as a whole
1954
Film music for the movie Napoleon by Guitry
1962
Suite for solo flute
1975
Cinque piccoli duetti for flute and harp
1977
Sept Impromptus for flute and bassoon
1984
Sonata for flute and guitar
1987
Woodwind Quintet No. 2, written for the Aulos Quintet
1989
Le Colloque des deux Perruches
08.06.1992
Premiere of the Double Concerto at the Schwetzingen Festival, played by Dagmar Becker and Wolfgang Meyer with the Wurttemberg Chamber Orchestra Heilbronn with Jörg Faerber.
25.09.1997
Dies in Paris
26.09.1998
Premiere of the trio for flute, cello and piano, played in Fautenbach by Trio Aperto (Dagmar Becker (Flöte); Martin Ostertag (Cello), Fritz Schwinghammer (Klavier))

Sheet music for flute:

Dixtuor (G-Dur)
edition on amazonCD-Aufnahmen bei jpc.deMP3-Download bei amazon.de
(flute/piccolo, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, 2 violins, viola, cello, double bass)
Schott Verlag, ED 7515
Rating: mid-grade
  1. Larghetto tranquillo - Allegro - subito lento - Presto
  2. Andante
  3. Scherzando
  4. Allegro moderato
Dedicated to the Linos-Ensemble. Duration about 20 minutes
Only score, no parts, hand written and hard to read)
Dixtuor 1986 (G-Dur)
edition at jpcCD-Aufnahmen bei jpc.deMP3-Download bei amazon.de
(flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, 2 violins, viola, cello, double bass)
Schott Verlag, ED 7516
Rating: difficult
  1. Larghetto tranquillo
  2. Andante
  3. Scherzando
  4. Allegro moderato
Parts (score is a different edition)
Double Concerto (G-Dur)
edition on amazonCD-Aufnahmen bei jpc.deMP3-Download bei amazon.de
(flute/alto flute/piccolo, clarinet/bass clarinet/clarinet, piano)
Schott Verlag, ED 8078
Rating: difficult
  1. Adagietto
  2. Andante
  3. Scherzando
  4. Rondo
Originally for flute, clarinet and orchestra. The composition was commissioned by Baden-Württemberg and the SWR in 1991. Both players have to change instruments to alto flute/clarinet and piccolo/es clarinet.
L´heure du berger
CD-Aufnahmen bei jpc.deMP3-Download bei amazon.de
(flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, piano)
Schott Verlag, ED 6035
Rating: difficult
  1. Les Vieux Beaux - Moderato
  2. Les petits nerveux - Allegro assai
  3. Pin-up Girls - Andante molto serioso
L´heure du berger
CD-Aufnahmen bei jpc.deMP3-Download bei amazon.de
(flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, piano)
Schott Verlag, ED 6034
Rating: difficult
  1. Les Vieux Beaux
  2. Pin-up Girls
  3. Les petits nerveux
This is the score. Parts are available separately in the same edition.
In the second movement the piano has nothing to play.
Authorised arrangement for wind instruments of a orchestral piece written in 1947
Le Colloque des deux Perruches
edition on amazonCD-Aufnahmen bei jpc.deMP3-Download bei amazon.de
(flute, alto flute)
Schott Verlag, ED 7764
Rating: difficult
  1. Allegrissimo
  2. Presto
  3. Larghetto
  4. Scherzando
  5. Larghetto
  6. Allegro
Handwritten score and printed parts.
Dedicated to Roberto Fabbriciani
Pour remercier lAuditoire (Des-Dur)
CD-Aufnahmen bei jpc.deMP3-Download bei amazon.de
(flute, clarinet, horn, violin, cello, piano)
Schott Verlag, ED 8393
Rating: mid-grade
  1. Larghetto
Piano part includes a full score, parts included
Quatuor (1933)
CD-Aufnahmen bei jpc.deMP3-Download bei amazon.de
(flute, oboe, clarinet in H flat, bassoon)
Schott Verlag, ED 4424
Rating: difficult
  1. Allegro
  2. Andante
  3. Allegro molto
  4. Allegro vivo
This is the score. The parts are separately available from Schott.
Quatuor (1933)
CD-Aufnahmen bei jpc.deMP3-Download bei amazon.de
(flute, oboe, clarinet in H flat, bassoon)
Schott Verlag, ED 4222
Rating: difficult
  1. Allegro
  2. Andante
  3. Allegro molto
  4. Allegro vivo
These are the parts. The score is available separately from Schott.
This is a real blockbuster. Very, very beautiful and again quite difficult to play.
Quintette (F-Dur)
CD-Aufnahmen bei jpc.deMP3-Download bei amazon.de
(flute, violin, viola, cello, harp)
Schott Verlag, 5206
Rating: difficult
  1. Andante tranquillo
  2. Presto
  3. Andante
  4. Rondo - Presto
Only parts
Quintette
edition on amazonCD-Aufnahmen bei jpc.deMP3-Download bei amazon.de
(flute, oboe, clarinet in A, bassoon, horn)
Schott Verlag, Ed 4103
Rating: very difficult
  1. Andante tranquillo - Allegro assai
  2. Presto - Trio (Un poco più lento) - Coda (Più lento) - Prestissimo
  3. Tema (Andante) + 5 Variationen
  4. Tempo die marcia francese
That's the score.
Dedicated to the Quintette à vent del'Orchestre National de Paris
Quintette
edition on amazonCD-Aufnahmen bei jpc.deMP3-Download bei amazon.de
(flute, oboe, clarinet in A, bassoon, horn)
Schott Verlag, ED 4121
Rating: very difficult
  1. Andante tranquillo - Allegro assai
  2. Presto - Trio (Un poco più lento) - Coda (Più lento) - Prestissimo
  3. Tema (Andante) + 5 Variationen
  4. Tempo die marcia francese
These are the parts, score separately available.
Sept Impromptus pour Flûte et Basson
edition on amazonCD-Aufnahmen bei jpc.deMP3-Download bei amazon.de
(flute, bassoon)
Schott Verlag, FTR 116
Rating: very difficult
  1. Allegretto con spirito
  2. Grave
  3. Vivace
  4. Alla burlesca
  5. A moroso
  6. Vivo
Unfortunately without score
World premiere on the 12th of october 1978 in Seattle by Soni Ventorum, who also commissioned the composition
Very nice and very typically
Suite - pour flûte seule
CD-Aufnahmen bei jpc.deMP3-Download bei amazon.de
(flute/alto flute)
Schott Verlag, ED 4821
Rating: difficult
  1. Caprice
  2. Pavane
  3. Saltarelle
  4. Allemande
  5. Menuet
  6. Marche
Absolutely wonderful music. I wish I was able to play the third movement. Change to alto in the fourth movement.
Composed 1962/1963
Trio
CD-Aufnahmen bei jpc.deMP3-Download bei amazon.de
(flute/piccolo, cello, piano)
Schott Verlag, ED 8521
Rating: difficult
  1. Allegro
  2. Teneramente
  3. Scherzando
  4. Transition

CDs with/from Jean Françaix

Katerina Englichova, Carlo Jans, Martinu Quartet
Francaix - Bordes - d´Indy - Pierne - Jolivet (2007)
jpc
Arcodiva
    Jean Françaix: Quintette No. 2 pour Flute, Trio a cordes et Harpe:
  1. Allegrissimo (04:32:00)
  2. II. Scherzo (04:45:00)
  3. III. Notturno (03:21:00)
  4. IV. Rondo (04:21:00)
    5. Charles Bordes: Suite Basque, op. 6:
  5. I. Prelude (04:32:00)
  6. II. Intermezzo (04:11:00)
  7. III. Paysage (06:07:00)
  8. IV. Pordon Dantza (07:26:00)
    9. Vincent D´Indy: Suite en parties pour Flute obligee, Violon, Alto, Violoncello et Harpe, Op. 91:
  9. I. Entree en Sonate (03:54:00)
  10. II. Air Desuet (02:18:00)
  11. III. Sarabande avec deux doubles (05:12:00)
  12. IV. Farandole variee en Rondeau (04:43:00)
  13. Gabriel Pierné: Voyage au "Pays du Tendre" d'apres la Carte du Tendre pour Flute, Violon, Alto, violoncelle et Harpe (12:05:00)
  14. André Jolivet: Chant de Linos pour flute principale, Violon, Alto, Violoncelle et Harpe (11:16:00)
Eine meiner absoluten Lieblings-CDs. Das geht richtig ab. Mit Power gespielt, leidenschaftlich und total schöne Musik. Herr Jans entspricht sehr meinem flötistischen Klangideal. Die Besetzung mit Streichern und Harfe ist sehr schön.
Mirage Quintet
French Flute Chamber Music (2007)
Tournier - Schmitt - Pierne - Francaix - Roussel
jpc
Naxos
    Marcel Tournier: Suite, op. 34:
  1. Soir - Calme et expressif (03:26:00)
  2. Danse - Naïvement (02:01:00)
  3. Lied - Assez lent, avec mélancolie (03:22:00)
  4. Fête - Animé (04:48:00)
    5. Florent Schmitt: Suinte en rocaille, op. 84:
  5. Sans hâte (03:40:00)
  6. Animé (03:49:00)
  7. sans lenteur (mouvement tres modéré de menuet) (03:38:00)
  8. Vif (02:31:00)
  9. Gabriel Pierné: Variations libres et finale, op. 51 (10:52:00)
    10. Jean Françaix: Quintette:
  10. Andante tranquillo (02:27:00)
  11. Scherzo (02:30:00)
  12. Andante (02:40:00)
  13. Rondo (01:30:00)
    14. Albert Roussel: Sérénade, op. 30:
  14. Allegro (04:32:00)
  15. Andante (06:55:00)
  16. Presto (04:26:00)
Danish National Symphony Orchestra Wind Quintet, Ralf Gothoni
French Music for Wind Quintet (2005)
Poulenc - Ibert - Milhaud - Francaix
Naxos
    Francis Poulenc: Sextet for Piano and wind quintet:
  1. Allegro vivace (08:11:00)
  2. Divertissement - Andantino (04:49:00)
  3. Finale - Prestissimo (05:40:00)
    4. Jacques Ibert: Trois pieces breves:
  4. Allegro (00:00:02)
  5. Andante (01:38:00)
  6. Assez lent - Allegro scherzando (02:53:00)
    7. Darius Milhaud: La cheminee du roi Rene, op. 205:
  7. Cortege (02:04:00)
  8. Aubade (01:49:00)
  9. Jongleurs (01:11:00)
  10. La Maousinglade (02:34:00)
  11. Joutes sur l´arc (00:54:00)
  12. Chasse a Valabre (00:00:01)
  13. Madrigal - Nocturne (02:36:00)
    14. Jean Françaix: Wind Quintet No. 1:
  14. Andante tranquillo - Allegro assai (04:27:00)
  15. Presto (04:36:00)
  16. Theme and Variations Andante - L´istesso tempo - Andantino con moto - Lento - Vivo - Andante (07:05:00)
  17. Tempo di marcia francese (04:19:00)
Pro Arte Wind Quintet
French Wind Music (1992)
jpc
Nimbus Records
    Jacques Ibert: Trois Pieces Breves:
  1. Allegro (02:28:00)
  2. Andante (01:33:00)
  3. Assez lent; Allegro scherzando (03:01:00)
    4. Jean Françaix: Quintette (1948):
  4. Andante tranquillo; Allegro assai (04:11:00)
  5. Presto - Trio Un poco piu lento (04:02:00)
  6. Tema con Variazioni (06:28:00)
  7. Tempo di marcia francese (04:00:00)
    8. Georges Auric: Trio:
  8. Decide (03:58:00)
  9. Romance (02:38:00)
  10. Final (04:29:00)
  11. Arthur Honegger: Danse de la Chevre (03:45:00)
    12. Darius Milhaud: La Cheminee du Roi Rene:
  12. Cortege (02:01:00)
  13. Aubade (01:39:00)
  14. Jongleurs (01:13:00)
  15. La Maousinglade (02:23:00)
  16. Joutes dur l'Art (00:56:00)
  17. Chasse a Valabre (01:34:00)
  18. Madrigal - Nocturne (02:23:00)
Christopher D. Lewis, John McMurtery, West Side Chamber Orchestra
Glass - Rutter - Francaix (2013)
Harpsichord Concertos
jpc
Naxos
    John Rutter: Suite Antique:
  1. Prelude - Moderato con moto tranquillo (04:16:00)
  2. Ostinato - Vivace (01:42:00)
  3. Aria - Andante (03:33:00)
  4. Waltz - A Jazz Waltz (03:37:00)
  5. Chanson - Andante espressivo ma con moto (04:06:00)
  6. Rondeau - Vivace (02:54:00)
    7. Philip Glass: Concerto for Harpsichord and Chamber Orchestra:
  7. I (08:26:00)
  8. II (10:51:00)
  9. III (04:51:00)
    10. Jean Françaix: Concerto pour Clavecin et Ensemble Instrumental:
  10. Toccata I (02:39:00)
  11. Toccata II (02:44:00)
  12. Andantino (04:13:00)
  13. Menuet (05:42:00)
  14. Finale (04:17:00)
Ferenc Bognár, Ensemble Wien-Berlin
Jean Françaix (1999)
Quatuor - Trio - Divertissement - L´heure du berger - Theme et Variations
jpc
Camerata Tokyo Inc.
    Quatuor:
  1. Allegro (03:09:00)
  2. Andante (02:02:00)
  3. Allegro molto (02:26:00)
  4. Allegro vivo (02:44:00)
    5. Trio:
  5. Adagio - Allegro moderato (03:50:00)
  6. Scherzo - Risoluto (03:37:00)
  7. Andante (04:19:00)
  8. Finale (04:05:00)
  9. Divertissement (01:06:00)
    10. Divertissement:
  10. Notturno - Lento (01:35:00)
  11. Perpetuum Mobile - Vivo (01:02:00)
  12. Romanza (02:35:00)
  13. Finale (03:05:00)
    14. L´Heure du Berger:
  14. Les Vieux Beaux - Moderato (02:07:00)
  15. Pin-up Girls - Andante molto serioso (01:57:00)
  16. Les petits nerveux - Allegro assai (03:10:00)
  17. Theme et Variations (07:59:00)
Bergen Woodwind Quintet
Jean Francaix - Quintets - Quartet - Divertissement (2012)
jpc
BIS Records
    Quintet No. 1 (1948):
  1. Andante tranquillo - Allegro assai (04:18:00)
  2. Presto (04:40:00)
  3. Tema con variazioni (07:35:00)
  4. Tempo di marcia francese (03:58:00)
    5. Quintet No. 2 (1987):
  5. Preludio (01:59:00)
  6. Toccata. Allegro (03:28:00)
  7. Scherzando (05:16:00)
  8. Andante (04:28:00)
  9. Allegrissimo (04:36:00)
    10. Quartet (1933):
  10. Allegro (03:08:00)
  11. Andante (02:07:00)
  12. Allegro molto (02:28:00)
  13. Allegro vivo (02:58:00)
    14. Divertissement (1947):
  14. Prélude. Moderato (03:22:00)
  15. Allegretto assai (01:53:00)
  16. Elégie. Grave (02:29:00)
  17. Scherzo (02:13:00)
Eleanor Froelich, Astrid Fröhlich, Ulrike Mattanovich, Alexander Swete
La Bergère Enchantée (1996)
jpc
Orfeo International Music GmbH
    Sonate für Flöte und Gitarre (1984):
  1. I. Allegro moderato (02:28:00)
  2. II. Larghetto (03:05:00)
  3. III. Tempo di Minuetto (04:24:00)
  4. IV. Saltarella (03:09:00)
    5. Suite für Flöte solo (1963):
  5. I. Caprice (02:16:00)
  6. II. Pavane (02:42:00)
  7. III. Saltarelle (01:34:00)
  8. IV. Allemande (03:45:00)
  9. V. Menuet (03:23:00)
  10. VI. Marche (02:20:00)
    11. Sept Impromptus:
  11. I. Allegretto con spirito (02:58:00)
  12. II. Grave (02:20:00)
  13. III. Vivace (04:01:00)
  14. IV. Grazioso (03:36:00)
  15. V. Alla burlesca (01:57:00)
  16. VI. Amoroso (04:20:00)
  17. VII. Vivo (02:14:00)
    18. Cinque piccoli duetti:
  18. I. Preludio (01:16:00)
  19. II. Pastorale (01:49:00)
  20. III. Canzonetta (01:23:00)
  21. IV. Sogno (02:46:00)
  22. V. rondo (02:15:00)
Für jeden, der Francaix liebt, so wie ich, die perfekte CD. Die Suite für Flöte solo zeichnet sich durch die für den Komponisten so typische Schalkhaftigkeit aus. Sehr dynamisch und farbig gespielt.
Manuela Wiesler
Manuela plays French Solo Flute Music (1990)
jpc
BIS Records
  1. Marin Marais: Les Folies d'Espagne (23:56:00)
    2. Henri Tomasi: Sonatine:
  2. Prelude et Scherzo (03:42:00)
  3. Pastorale (04:09:00)
  4. Final. Capriccio (03:19:00)
  5. Jacques Ibert: Piece pour flute seule (05:11:00)
    6. Jean Françaix: Suite:
  6. Caprice (02:01:00)
  7. Pavane (02:27:00)
  8. Saltarelle (01:26:00)
  9. Allemande (03:02:00)
  10. Menuet (02:49:00)
  11. Marche (01:58:00)
    12. André Jolivet: Asceses pour flute seule:
  12. Pour que demeure le secret. Nous tairons jusqu'au silence. (04:16:00)
  13. O femme qui ne sais que tu portais en toi le monde (05:07:00)
  14. Claude Debussy: Syrinx (02:37:00)
Madoka Inui, Peter Schmidl, Matthias Schulz, Wolfgang Schulz
The Art of the Flute (2007)
Mozart - Kuhlau - Francaix - Saint-Saens - Poulenc
jpc
Naxos
    Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Sonata in D-Dur KV 448:
  1. Allegro con spirito (06:06:00)
  2. Andante (06:52:00)
  3. Molto allegro (06:37:00)
    4. Friedrich Kuhlau: Grand Trio in G-Dur Op. 119:
  4. Allegro moderato (06:10:00)
  5. Adagio patetico - Sostenuto assai (03:51:00)
  6. Rondo - Allegro (05:13:00)
    7. Jean Françaix: Le Colloque des deux perruches:
  7. Allegrissimo (01:40:00)
  8. Presto (01:36:00)
  9. Larghetto (02:31:00)
  10. Scherzando (03:53:00)
  11. Larghetto (04:00:00)
  12. Allegro (03:15:00)
  13. Camille Saint-Saëns: Tarentelle (06:18:00)
    14. Francis Poulenc: Sonata:
  14. Allegro malinconico (04:24:00)
  15. Cantilena - Assez lent (03:27:00)
  16. Presto giocoso (03:27:00)
Selandia Ensemble
Wind Chamber Music (1989)
jpc
Kontrapunkt
  1. Claude Debussy: Petite Suite (En Bateau - Cortége - Menuet - Ballet) (12:10:00)
  2. Gabriel Pierné: Pastorale (02:58:00)
  3. Eugène Bozza: Trois piéces pour une musique de nuit (Andantino - Allegro vivo - Moderato) (05:50:00)
  4. Jorgen Bentzon: Racconto No. 3 (09:44:00)
  5. Claude Debussy: Syrinx (02:49:00)
  6. Finn Hoffding: Dialogues (General conversation - Serious conversation - Wrangling - Elevated conversation - Cheerful conversation) (08:49:00)
  7. Knudage Riisager: Divertimento (Allegro leggiero - Andantino pastorale - Vivace) (09:21:00)
  8. Jean Françaix: Quatuor (Allegro - Andante - Allegro molto - Allegro vivo) (10:57:00)

Literature von/über Jean Françaix

Last edit 15.11.2020