Although widely known as a writer of bizarre, mysterious works such as the novel "The Sheltering Sky" and the fabulous collection of short stories "The Delicate Prey and Other Stories", this ex-patriate American has also been a prolific composer of songs, operas and instrumental pieces, who studied with Aaron Copland, Virgil Thompson and Nadia Boulanger. Originally written for an Orson Welles production "Too Much Johnson", "Music For A Farce" for a small orchestra, including a percussion section with unusual instruments like an electric doorbell and milk bottles, was composed in 1938. It a hilarious set of 8 sections of "slap-stick"-like music with chase scenes, prat-falls, and some really (and purposefully) corny sentimental music, especially a waltz that nevertheless has a wistful quality about it. A delightful bit of energetic contemporary music.

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