FRANCIS POULENC

 

Figure Humaine

 

Mass in G,

Litanies à la Vierge Noire,

Salve Regina,

Un soir de neige,

Quatre petites prières de Saint François d’Assise

 

Tenebrae / Nigel Short

 

Francis Poulenc is now considered to be among the most important composers of choral music of the 20^th 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.

 

Signum SIGCD197