Poulenc was an early 20^th century composer known for his liturgical works, his numerous songs, and his chamber pieces. Poulenc was born in Paris to an industrialist father and an artisan mother.  His mother had the greatest influence on him early on as his primary piano teacher.  He was generally self-taught in composition, and most of his early works were for chamber ensembles.  By the age of 21, Poulenc was named by music critic Henri Collet as one of the six prominent composers of Paris (Le Groupe de Six), heralding national and international attention.  Only after being encouraged to expand into larger forms did Poulenc seek a composition teacher.  Charles Koechlin was widely revered as a teacher, but never gained attention for his own music.  Koechlin saw that Poulenc’s talent was in harmony.  Poulenc is often remembered for his beautiful and languishing melodies, but it is his use of astonishingly beautiful harmonies that bring out the beloved melodies.  In the 1930s, Poulenc rediscovered the Catholicism of his youth from his father and wrote several major works including a Mass, a setting of the Stabat Mater, and the ever-popular Gloria. 

The Trio was composed in the mid-1920s and received its premiere in 1926.  It is dedicated to his friend and fellow composer, Manuel de Falla.  Poulenc generally didn’t favor the use of traditional forms, but in this work, he adhered to tradition.  After an introduction, the first movement follows the Sonata-Allegro form that was very common for a first movement.  The finale is a rondo, another traditional final movement form with a recurring theme.  It is the middle movement that shows Poulenc’s talent for harmony.  The pastoral slow movement is lush with exquisite chromaticism and song-like melodies.