So...is Germaine Tailleferre Awesome Or What?

February 19, 201214 yr

I have recently discovered the tragically ignored Tailleferre. I found her on complete accident (I was looking for a Milhaud work and found her on a CD of Les Six compositions.) I was wondering if anybody who's heard of her has any thoughts on her. If they haven't...she's definitely worth checking out. I've noticed in her works that I've heard some of the following qualities:

1) She arguably knew how to write for solo stringed instruments the best out of Les Six

2) She's a somewhat gentler version of Milhaud's polytonal playground.

3) She seemed to have mastered "Neo-Baroque" sounds. I think this actually one of her signature sounds.

4) She seems to have a sense of lyricism and melody to rival Poulenc's. The chief difference being Poulenc either went absurdist or folky.

She just had the traditional "Parisian" sound in her melodies (I guess an embodiment of what was in vogue when she was young.)

5) While on that note, her sense of phrasing and how to approach a piece suffers the same curse as Poulenc. It can be quirky and odd, but when somebody understands her and decides to share via a recording, WOW! Your socks are blown off.

I've included a couple of youtube links I found of some of her works I've particularly enjoyed. Unfortunately, since she's so relatively little known compared to the rest of Les Six (I think the only one more ignored is Durey), it's damn near impossible to FIND a score of hers.