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Kate Molleson tells the story of Germaine Tailleferre's dramatic escape from war-torn France, with music including a brilliantly original concerto for two pianos and orchestra.

Germaine Tailleferre first made a splash in the heady atmosphere of 1920s Paris. She was part of a lively, bohemian scene in which poetry and exhibitions went hand in hand with performances of new music. Her career was given a bump start by the eccentric older composer, Eric Satie. He was an influential voice in avant-garde circles, and his support opened a door to wider recognition. Tailleferre became part of a like-minded set of young composers, along with Francis Poulenc, Arthur Honegger, Darius Milhaud, Louis Durey and Georges Auric. Their energy and drive created exciting new outlets for performances of their music. It was a journalist, Henri Collet, who coined their eventual collective name "Les Six". While their artistic paths quickly diversified, the group remained friends for the rest of their lives.

Tailleferre was a prolific composer, writing in all the genres from small scale chamber works to large scale works including cantatas, orchestral scores, ballets and operas. After enjoying considerable success, by the 1930s her prominence began to fade. There's some evidence to suggest that her two unhappy marriages, and the deprivations of living in occupied France, followed by a temporary exile in the States during the Second World War, all had an adverse impact on her career. Despite these setbacks, she continued to compose and would teach music almost to the very end of her life. She died in 1983 at the age of 91.

Held back perhaps by her own retiring personality and historical views of a female composer, Tailleferre's music has been overshadowed by some of the other members of "Les Six". This week Kate Molleson brings Germaine Tailleferre's music firmly in to the limelight. She's joined in studio by two other Tailleferre enthusiasts, Barbara Kelly from the University of Leeds, and Caroline Potter, who's currently writing a book about Tailleferre.

As basic commodities dwindled in German occupied France, Tailleferre's situation became untenable. A life as a war refugee was fast becoming a necessary solution.

Partita for piano (excerpt)
I: Perpetuum mobile
Virginia Eskin, piano

Chansons du folklore
La pernette se lève
Patrice Michaels, soprano
Chicago Chamber Musicians
Paul Freeman, conductor

Sonata for Harp
I: Allegretto
II: Lento
III: Perpetuum mobile
Maria Graf, harp

Concerto two pianos, chorus and orchestra
Mark Clinton, Piano
Nicole Narboni, Piano
Solveig Berg, Soprano
Emmanuelle Mansard, Soprano
Anne Coppey, Mezzo Soprano
Charlotte Baillaux, Mezzo Soprano
Dominique Ploteau, Tenor
Phillipe Hoarau, Tenor
Phillipe Degaetz, Bass
Francois Echassaux, Bass
Orchestre de la Société du Conservatoire Paris
The XAS Ensemble
Bruno Poindefert, conductor

La cantate du narcisse
II: Le narcisse. Soleil seul avec toi
Jean Planel, tenor
Orchestre National de la RTF
Roger Désormières, conductor

Larghetto
Mark Clinton and Nicole Narboni, pianos

Producer: Johannah Smith