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Francis Poulenc is now considered to be among the most important composers of choral music of the 20th Century. Yet his early career reveals no trace of the dazzling and idiosyncratic unaccompanied choral textures so abundantly produced in the second half of his life. This new collection of Poulenc’s choral works, virtually a ‘best of’, is centered on his masterwork, Figure Humaine. Even though it is only 20 minutes in length, the work is a supreme test of stamina, technical agility, range, aural skill and musicianship. The professional chamber choir Tenebrae (directed by former King’s Singer Nigel Short) are more than capable of tackling this repertoire and this disc promises to provide a new benchmark in interpretations of the work.
Mass in G - Kyrie
Mass in G - Gloria
Mass in G - Sanctus
Mass in G - Benedictus
Mass in G - Agnus Dei
Litanies a la Vierge Noire
Salve Regina
Un Soir de Neige - De grandes cuillers de neige
Un Soir de Neige - La bonne neige le ciel noir
Un Soir de Neige - Bois meurtri
Un Soir de Neige - La nuit le froid la solitude
Figure Humaine - Bientot
Figure Humaine - Le Role des Femmes
Figure Humaine - Aussi bas que le silence
Figure Humaine - Patience
Figure Humaine - Premiere Marche la voix d'un autre
Figure Humaine - Un Loup
Figure Humaine - Un feu sans tache
Figure Humaine - Liberte
Quatre petites prieres de Saint Francois d'Assise - Salut, Dame Sainte
Quatre petites prieres de Saint Francois d'Assise - Tout Puissant
Quatre petites prieres de Saint Francois d'Assise - Seigneur, je vous en prie
Quatre petites prieres de Saint Francois d'Assise - O mes tres chers freres
3rd June 2010
****
“[Le Figure Humaine is] not only one of Poulenc's greatest achievements, but one of the 20th century's most extraordinary choral pieces, with its waves of voices climaxing in the great shouts of Liberté in the closing moments, which Tenebrae control quite beautifully.”
20th June 2010
“an impeccable disc”
18th June 2010
****
“Poulenc had vocal expertise in mind when he wrote his choral music, and that is what he gets in this fine selection of six works...all performed with colour and skill by Tenebrae.”
August 2010
*****
“Tenebrae is equal to every challenge. The tuning is impeccable, the phrasing intelligent and never forced, the balance always adjusted to the demands of Poulenc's textures...Not least, the sopranos float ethereally in the more lyrical moments...A disc to be treasured.”
June 2010
“pristine performances”
31st July 2010
****
“For purity and precision of tone, and flawless intonation, Nigel Short’s chamber choir Tenebrae is pretty much unbeatable...It’s quite a whirl, but Tenebrae’s firm sense of pitch keeps them upright and their beauty radiates like a halo. Warm, affecting music, thrillingly performed.”
October 2010
“Their singing has a precision of pitch, a rhythmic vigour and a musical focus few choirs can equal...Nigel Short, similarly, has studied these scores to the extent that he realises every tiny nuance of Poulenc's writing and produces that kind of performance that offers an almost transparent level of textural precision.”
Click on any of the works listed above for alternative recordings.
Mass in G - Kyrie
