Françaix, Jean (1912–1997)

French composer. His music was noted for its wit and brilliance, and showed the influence of Erik Satie and Les Six.

Françaix was born in Le Mans. He studied under his father, who was director of the Conservatory there, and with Nadia Boulanger in Paris. He showed great talent at an early age and a great facility in his writing.

Works Opera Le Diable boiteux (1938), La Main de gloire (1950), Paris à nous deux (1954), La Princesse de Clèves (1965).

Ballet Beach, Le Roi nu (after Hans Christian Andersen).

Orchestal two symphonies (1932, 1953), Suite concertante, L'Horloge de flore for oboe and orchestra (1959), Divertissement for string trio and orchestra; piano concerto (1936) and concertino, flute concerto (1966), fantasy for cello and orchestra; concertos for violin (1970, 1979), double bass (1974), bassoon and strings (1979), guitar and strings (1983), trombone and wind (1984), flute and clarinet (1991); Cassazione for three orchestras (1975), Mozart new-look for double bass and ten wind instruments (1981), concerto for 15 soloists and orchestra (1988).

Chamber Petit Quatuor for strings, quintet for flute, harp, and strings, two wind quintets (1948, 1987), octet (1972), Danses exotiques for 12 players (1986), Dixtuor for wind and string quintet (1986), Elegie for wind instruments (1990), suite for four saxophones (1990).

Other songs and piano music.