Event Title
The Music of a Country Held Captive: Francis Poulenc and World War II France
Faculty Mentor
Wendy Mullen
Keywords
Wendy Mullen
Abstract
After the fall of France to Germany at the onset of World War II, France was divided into two parts. The northern portion was completely occupied by the German army, while the southern portion maintained nominal French control – though only as figureheads. All aspects of French life were controlled by the new Nazi government and this French puppet government in southern France – centered in the city of Vichy. While German officials regulated everything from food consumption to curfews, French culture was not as easy to monitor, particularly in the case of French music. The oppressed French citizens sought the solace of music as an escape from the horrors of war as well as a political statement. Francis Poulenc, one of the most renowned 20th century French composers, was an active resistor through his compositions. Poulenc’s major compositions from the Vichy era incorporated many patriotic French themes, and even anti-German themes that were only detected by the French population. This music of a defeated France helped sustain the hope of its citizens throughout the darkest years of the war.
Session Name:
Portraying WWII
Start Date
4-4-2014 9:00 AM
End Date
4-4-2014 10:00 AM
Location
HSB 201
The Music of a Country Held Captive: Francis Poulenc and World War II France
HSB 201
After the fall of France to Germany at the onset of World War II, France was divided into two parts. The northern portion was completely occupied by the German army, while the southern portion maintained nominal French control – though only as figureheads. All aspects of French life were controlled by the new Nazi government and this French puppet government in southern France – centered in the city of Vichy. While German officials regulated everything from food consumption to curfews, French culture was not as easy to monitor, particularly in the case of French music. The oppressed French citizens sought the solace of music as an escape from the horrors of war as well as a political statement. Francis Poulenc, one of the most renowned 20th century French composers, was an active resistor through his compositions. Poulenc’s major compositions from the Vichy era incorporated many patriotic French themes, and even anti-German themes that were only detected by the French population. This music of a defeated France helped sustain the hope of its citizens throughout the darkest years of the war.