Oslo Philharmonic’s Chamber Series Francis Poulenc
Ludwig Thuille

In his Sextet for Piano and Winds, Francis Poulenc (1899–1963) reveals his distinctive musical voice. The work is lively and colorful, full of both humor and emotional depth, combining neoclassical forms with jazz-inspired rhythms. Scored for piano, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and horn, it offers rich textures and playful contrasts between the instruments. Often considered one of Poulenc’s most satirical works, it also bears the French charm and light irony so characteristic of the composer—it never takes itself, or anything else, too seriously.

On the other hand, Ludwig Thuille’s (1861–1907) Sextet for Piano and Wind Quintet offers a more traditional, Romantic counterpart. As a teenager, Thuille met Richard Strauss, and the two formed a lifelong friendship, united by their shared commitment to conservative classicism. Thuille’s music was less radical than that of many of his contemporaries, but he stood out for his deep engagement with chamber music. Compared to Poulenc, Thuille’s Sextet for Piano and Wind Quintet is more conventional and lushly Romantic. Written for the same instrumentation, it is marked by lyrical melodies, rich harmonies, and a clear sense of classical form, reflecting the aesthetic ideals of the late Romantic era.