Praised as a child by Ravel, Françaix became one of the most prolific composers of the twentieth century. His aim was ‘to give pleasure… to be jolly most of the time - even comical.’ His Dixtuor is a sparkling showpiece for ten instruments. American composer Valerie Coleman often pays homage to earlier…

French and Australian works bring the season to a glittering conclusion. Jean Anouilh’s satirical comedy, known in English as Ring Round the Moon and worthy of Wodehouse or Waugh, inspired Poulenc’s highly amusing incidental music of dances and parodic character pieces to illustrate the comic intrigues at a lavish ball. Gabriel Fauré’s…