Francis Jean Marcel Poulenc ： 3 Intermezzos No.2 in Des-Dur FP.71

Poulenc’s No. 2 from the Three Intermezzos is a miniature that combines intimate lyricism and light-hearted wit within the bright, refined sonority of D-flat major. Its concise ideas unfold with a sense of unity, and one of its principal attractions lies in the contrast between gently singing passages and moments animated by rhythmic buoyancy. The melody should be treated as a long-breathed song, while the inner voices should remain clear so that the changing harmonic colors can be carefully revealed. Dynamic changes should not be overstated; keeping the pedal clear and the sonority well organized brings out the music’s transparency and French elegance. Even within its lightness, it is important to preserve a supple nuance that remains attentive to the ends of phrases.