| Label: Hyperion Catalog: CDA67623 Format: CD Susan Gritton, soprano; Polyphony; Britten Sinfonia; The Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge; Stephen Layton, conductor
Gloria (Gloria in excelsis Deo - Laudamus te - Domine Deus - Domini Fili unigenite - Domine Deus, agnus Dei - Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris); Salve regina; Quatre motets pour un temps de pénitence (Timor et tremor - Vinea mea electa - Tenebrae factae sunt - Tristis est anima mea); Quatre motets pour le temps de Noël (O magnum mysterium - Quem vidistis pastores dicite - Videntes stellam - Hodie Christus natus est); Exultate Deo
Stephen Layton and Polyphony continue to blaze a trail as great interpreters and dazzling performers of a wide range of choral music. Their recent disc of Bruckner's Mass in E minor and motets was acclaimed as a benchmark recording. For their latest Hyperion disc they turn to some of the most bewitching and unusual, yet well-loved, choral works of the twentieth century.
Poulenc's choral music is a deep expression both of his faith and his unique musical language. In the various motets, the music responds to the composer's studies of Bach, Monteverdi, Palestrina and Gabrieli, but is always stylistically progressive. Prominently featured are Poulenc's distinctive and often ingenious chord progressions. Each motet has its own delightfully etched personality.
Poulenc's Gloria is one of his most enduring appealing works. In some ways straightforwardly pious, it is also tinged with mischievous irreverence and a sense of rollicking enjoyment. 'When I wrote this piece', Poulenc famously recalled, 'I had in mind those frescoes by Gozzoli where the angels stick out their tongues; and also some serious Benedictine monks I had once seen reveling in a game of football.' This recording by the Britten Sinfonia, The Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge, Polyphony and the soprano soloist Susan Gritton under Stephen Layton brings out all these aspects in a classic performance. |