Piano Music Of Francis Poulenc/ Mouvements Perpétuels/ Suite Française/ Novelettes/ 3 Nocturnes/ Presto/ Pastourelle/ Toccata/ Valse

Released by Angel Records in the late 1960s, this recording features the French pianist Gabriel Tacchino performing a selection of solo piano works by Francis Poulenc. Tacchino was a protégé of Poulenc himself, making this interpretation particularly significant as it carries the composer's direct stylistic influence and pedagogical approval. The selection represents the core of Poulenc's pianistic output, balancing his characteristic wit and playfulness with the lyrical introspection found in pieces like the Nocturnes.

The album serves as a definitive survey of Poulenc's keyboard aesthetic, which bridged the gap between early twentieth-century modernism and a distinctly French melodic tradition. Gabriel Tacchino’s nuanced technique was widely praised for capturing the rapid shifts in mood—from the percussive, machine-like drive of the Toccata to the gentle, dance-like grace of the Valses—that define Poulenc’s legacy. This Angel Records pressing remains a staple for collectors seeking an authentic performance of the French repertoire from an era when Tacchino was the foremost ambassador of Poulenc’s piano music.