Francis Poulenc

Started by Boris_G, July 16, 2007, 12:01:59 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Madiel

Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on February 28, 2014, 07:58:55 PM
Although even they seem unable to figure out how many Improvisations there are.

There is actually a coherent explanation for that... it's a combination of the fact that the improvisations are split between 2 discs, and that the improvisations are under 4 different 'opus' numbers in Poulenc's catalogue (1-10, 11-12, 13-14 and 15).

It's one of those relatively rare times when I've been grateful for the ability to edit information in iTunes and put back together the bits and pieces that were split on disc.
I am now working on a discography of the works of Vagn Holmboe. Please visit and also contribute!

Mirror Image

Cross-posted from the 'Purchases' thread:

Quote from: Mirror Image on March 01, 2014, 07:52:43 AM
My order fell through with that Poulenc chamber disc w/ Pascal Roge, so to compensate, and to give me more of an incentive, I bought this this 2-CD set:



The audio samples sounded quite nice. I didn't do much research here, but there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of sets dedicated to Poulenc's chamber music for winds, so I happily took the risk.

lescamil

On the topic of the chamber music, anyone else a fan of the Sextet for Piano and Winds? I think this is perhaps his best chamber work. I've been looking for a great recording of this piece. My old standby was the one with James Levine, but I'd like alternatives.
Want to chat about classical music on IRC? Go to:

irc.psigenix.net
#concerthall

http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,19772.0.html

-------------------------------------

Check out my YouTube page:

http://www.youtube.com/user/jre58591

Mirror Image

The Sextet is a great work, but, then again, so are so many others.

lescamil

More Poulenc recommendations needed, please. I'm accompanying a vocalist in a few of his songs in 2 weeks, and I'd like to know which recordings are the best. I'm doing Chanson d'Orkenise, Voyage à Paris, and Hôtel (all from Banalités), specifically, but recommendations for any of his songs (or collections of them) is fine.
Want to chat about classical music on IRC? Go to:

irc.psigenix.net
#concerthall

http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,19772.0.html

-------------------------------------

Check out my YouTube page:

http://www.youtube.com/user/jre58591

Madiel

Quote from: lescamil on March 02, 2014, 09:53:19 AM
On the topic of the chamber music, anyone else a fan of the Sextet for Piano and Winds? I think this is perhaps his best chamber work. I've been looking for a great recording of this piece. My old standby was the one with James Levine, but I'd like alternatives.

As recently mentioned, I only have the Pascal Roge set, and it certainly made me like the Sextet.
I am now working on a discography of the works of Vagn Holmboe. Please visit and also contribute!

Mirror Image

Quote from: Brian on February 13, 2014, 04:06:50 PM
Do Spotify it, Greg. I got it and have only listened to the Gloria, and that only once. But at the end of my listen the thought which occurred to me was, "Huh. I guess I don't like this piece as much as I thought." Luckily I also grabbed Dutoit before my Great CD Buying Embargo of 2014, so some time soon when it's convenient I will compare them side-by-side and figure out what is really going on.

Have you done this comparison yet, Brian? Would be curious to read your thoughts.

Mirror Image

Cross-posted from the 'Purchases' thread -

Quote from: Mirror Image on March 03, 2014, 11:51:43 AM
Just bought via Amazon France:



Looks like a great set, especially the concerti and chamber music discs with Eric Le Sage on piano.

Does anyone own this set or own, and have heard, any of the individual recordings from it? I know the concerti disc got some good reviews and it features Eric Le Sage as the main soloist with none other than French specialist Stephane Deneve on the podium. Should be good.

Mirror Image

Quote from: snyprrr on April 06, 2013, 06:59:02 AM
Piano Concerto

Concerto for 2 Pianos

Poulenc isn't as 'smooth' as I thought: he has a few jagged edges, and always seems to be upsetting the apple cart, throwing little things in willy-nilly. But of course, there are moments of pure, beautiful lyricism too.

The PC starts off with what I must imagine is some Mozartean melody. Is that right, or is it someone else? Then there is that wonderful falling melody in the C2P. I don't think you will find these kinds of melodies in the other Frenchmen: they seem wholly French, but also wholly Poulenc (or Satie?).

Gamelan textures also inform the C2P, lending a very genial atmosphere.

Poulenc seems to want to start his musics off with quite a whack, only to settle into a more cosmopolitan rhythm. Has anyone noticed this?

I also wish this set (Double Decca) had the Aubade, but,...

Both the Piano Concerto and Concerto for Two Pianos are great works, snyprrr. I think you give them a pretty fair description. It seems that the Piano Concerto is a bit underrated. I find it absolutely delightful from start to finish. BTW, have you bought any Poulenc since you made this post?

Mirror Image

#209
What do you guys think of the Violin Sonata and the Cello Sonata? To my mind, they are both masterworks. It seems that chamber music for woodwinds dominates his chamber oeuvre, but he was especially gifted in writing for string instruments as these two works would indicate. Any favorite performances of either work?

Ken B

#210
I keep waiting to see Lon Chaney as your avatar!

[asin]B00AAS6MMC[/asin]

Mirror Image


Mirror Image

Quote from: sanantonio on April 06, 2013, 05:56:01 PM

[asin]B000038I6F[/asin]

Since you own this set, SA, I have a few questions for you: how is the audio quality in this set? I remember reading that there are some balance problems in the audio, do you hear this in any of the performances?

Thanks in advance.

Mirror Image

Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on February 28, 2014, 07:58:55 PM
Although even they seem unable to figure out how many Improvisations there are.

At any rate, MI, you have CD 5 of that set, and I'd say you need to get CD 4, which contains the music for two pianos (or piano four hands) and the violin sonata.

Went ahead and bought the whole set. Glad I did. I love Pascal Roge's pianism. Can't wait to hear the chamber music performances in this set.

Madiel

As I continue to go back through the Roge box, chronologically, I'm reinforced in the view that the piano music tends to improve later in his career. Recent listens have included the Melancolie and the Intermezzo in A flat major, which are both lovely and well-rounded works.

Some of the very earliest piano pieces do virtually nothing for me. But it's not an even spread. There are some relatively early ones that I enjoy. And I think in some ways the biggest surprise is the other way - Les Soirees de Nazelles, the largest scale piano work, just doesn't seem to do it for me. Poulenc later repudiated it, and I'm inclined to agree with him. It doesn't seem, to me, to much depth of feeling in it.

I'm going to get back into the 2-piano works soon, which pleases me no end. They were definitely highlights in my first round of listening.
I am now working on a discography of the works of Vagn Holmboe. Please visit and also contribute!

Ken B

Poulenc, Poulenc. Name rings a bell.  Hmm.  Hey! Didn't MirrorImage used to play Poulenc?

8)

Mirror Image

Quote from: Ken B on March 26, 2014, 01:25:54 PM
Poulenc, Poulenc. Name rings a bell.  Hmm.  Hey! Didn't MirrorImage used to play Poulenc?

8)

Still do. :D Poulenc is in my top five.

TheGSMoeller

I love seeing the Stabat Mater getting so much airtime recently. Jarvi (disappointing), Deneve (very fine) and now the new release of Reuss with Carolyn Sampson, Cappella Amsterdam, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and Estonian Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra on Harmonia Mundi. Based on the small sampling it sounds glorious, wonderfully recorded with a detailed choir. What's most exciting about this release is the coupling of Sept Repons de Tenebres which is an equally fine, and not as often recorded piece. Anyone have this album yet? It's in my cart waiting for payday, more than likely will be done soon.


[asin]B00H30JK1U[/asin]

ZauberdrachenNr.7

#218
Quote from: sanantonio on February 13, 2014, 05:47:28 PM
I have to say now that I've listened to the whole CD, it is a very mixed bag.  Some sections, mainly the solo movements featuring Petibon are nicely done.  But in some places, Jarvi does not convey the style I expect for Poulenc.  Steely, rushed in places and in a couple of spots during the Stabat Mater, verging on ugly.  It is strange, some parts, e.g. the chorus, and in places the orchestra, sound beautiful.  But then something will happen to destroy the mood entirely.

Disappointing since I was very much looking forward to this recording.

I listened on MOG before buying, and am glad I did.

I too came close to buying this; fortunately my local public library picked it up and I was able to give it a thorough listen.  I've enjoyed the Orchestre de Paris very much over the years and had high expectations but I don't think they're the problem.  While there are some splendid moments, Järvi is outta his element here, plain and simple.  Poulenc's Gloria is a very enthusiastic Christian encomium - so much so it initially troubled Rome - it's supposed to rock at points and yet this is curiously restrained.  You like Petibon better than I do - she has an unfortunate tendency to hoot and hasn't the vocal strength to negotiate the Domine Deus, Agnus Dei (5th mvt.) - listen to her swoop (a singer's no-no - an embarrassment, really).  Sad to say, but the Gloria is bad enough to have not been released.

Edit:  both sound like they really know what they're doing in this interview clip :  http://www.deutschegrammophon.com/en/cat/4791497.  You can hear the 'swooping' here.

rpsabq

I simply must join in and offer my most favorite recording of the Poulenc Gloria.  Let's not be afraid to give the Americans their due folks, because this is simply superb. 

Poulenc: Gloria; Stabat Mater
Boston Pops Orchestra, Kathleen Battle, Seiji Ozawa & Tanglewood Festival Chorus
Seiji Ozawa, Conductor