Diary of My Songs (Journal De Mes Melodies)

From 1918 to 1960, song writing dominated Francis Poulenc's creative life. In Diary of my Songs he discusses all his melodies, describing their origins, commenting on performances he has heard, both good and bad, giving singers and pianists guidelines on interpretation and correcting numerous misconceptions. His Diary has a directness, a nonchalant wit and a self-deprecating irony that are characteristic not only of his writings but also of his music. Above all, the Diary is informed by the wisdom, tenderness and profound human sympathy that lie at the root of his greatness as a composer.
In this dual language edition Poulenc's French text appears as he himself had edited it for publication before his death in 1963. It is faced page by page with an English translation by Winifred Radford, enhanced by explanatory notes and a discographical appendix by Patrick Saul and an introduction by Graham Johnson.
Of value to singers, pianists, and all lovers of French music, Diary of my Songs adds importantly to our understanding of one of the best-loved and most approachable of 20th century composers.