françaix was an accomplished pianist from an early age, earning a first prize in piano at the paris conservatory, and toured throughout europe and the u.s. he performed notably in a duo with the french cellist maurice gendron, and also performed the poulenc two piano concerto with francis poulenc for several engagements when jacques février was not available. françaix even premiered his concerto for two pianos with his daughter, pianist claude françaix, in 1964.