Jean Françaix

Jean Françaix, born in 1912, was a French composer and pianist whose music radiates a quintessentially French charm, blending wit, clarity, and a light neoclassical style. Hailing from a musical family, Françaix began composing at the tender age of six, and by nine, he had already published a piano piece. His prodigious talent was nurtured by his father, the director of the Conservatory of Le Mans, and later by the renowned Nadia Boulanger. Françaix's extensive catalog of over 200 works spans various genres, including operas, ballets, symphonies, and chamber music, each piece imbued with his signature Gallic humor and vibrant style. Influenced by composers such as Ravel, Poulenc, and Stravinsky, Françaix's music is a delightful journey through the 20th-century French musical landscape, offering a consistent and engaging voice that captivates audiences worldwide.