CH02076
In January 1920, the critic Henri Collet named Poulenc and five composing friends 'Le Groupe des Six', by analogy with the Russian Five. It was a convenient label for publicity purposes and Jean Cocteau, as their self-appointed spokesman, was quick to capitalise on the possibilities. But each of the Six always insisted that the group was just a collection of friends, with no communal musical aims. As it happened, Poulenc's Suite For Piano and Impromptus for piano fit Cocteau's prescription quite well – they are clear, light-hearted and entertaining.