Poulenc Sonata for Oboe and Piano: Analysis and Performance Interpretation

Indianapolis, IN

Francis Poulenc was born in Paris on January 7^th, 1899. Poulenc was a part of the group of composers known as Les Six. Poulenc composed music full of hope and advocacy for peace, and later in his life his works included a more religious aspect. An overview of Poulenc's Sonata for Oboe and Piano, including a detailed analysis of the third movement, is presented. This leads to a discussion of performance implications based upon this analysis and historical background. The Sonata for Oboe and Piano is Poulenc's final published piece. The work is dedicated to Sergei Prokofiev, however no direct connections between the Sonata for Oboe and Piano and Prokofiev have been found. Thematic comparisons have been found between the Sonata for Oboe and Piano, Sonata for Flute and Piano, Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, and Sonate for Two Pianos.