Entrancing Muse: A Documented Biography of Francis Poulenc (Lives in Music Series)
Intended as a sourcebook for future scholars and writers, this  work on French composer Poulenc (1899-1963) contains more than  350 footnotes in some chapters. Indeed, what is offered here by  Schmidt (The Music of Francis Poulenc: A Catalogue) is a  chronological presentation of Poulenc's documented activities,  including his substantial work as a pianist and recording  artist. What could be observed and what was written down is  reported; left to others are the deep insights into the man this  evidence might support. Generous appendixes list people,  summaries of Poulenc's public appearances, Poulenc's  discography, and Poulenc portraits. In addition to a general  index, there are two indexes of works by Poulenc and others.  This scholarly work is recommended only for research libraries  or those that own Schmidt's other Poulenc title and wish to  supplement it. Benjamin Ivry's Francis Poulenc (Phaidon, 1996)  is a fine, recent biography for the general public. Bonnie Jo  Dopp, Univ. of Maryland Libs., College ParkCopyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.