Track Listing

1. Mass in G major for chorus, FP 89: 1. Kyrie
2. Mass in G major for chorus, FP 89: 2. Gloria
3. Mass in G major for chorus, FP 89: 3. Sanctus
4. Mass in G major for chorus, FP 89: 4. Benedictus
5. Mass in G major for chorus, FP 89: 5. Agnus Dei
6. Quatre motets pour le temps de Noël, for chorus, FP 152: 1. O magnum mysterium
7. Quatre motets pour le temps de Noël, for chorus, FP 152: 2. Quem vidistis pastores
8. Quatre motets pour le temps de Noël, for chorus, FP 152: 3. Videntes stellam
9. Quatre motets pour le temps de Noël, for chorus, FP 152: 4. Hodie Christus natus est
10. Quatre motets pour un temps de pénitence, for chorus, FP 97: 1. Timor et tremor
11. Quatre motets pour un temps de pénitence, for chorus, FP 97: 2. Vinea mea electa
12. Quatre motets pour un temps de pénitence, for chorus, FP 97: 3. Tenebrae factae sunt
13. Quatre motets pour un temps de pénitence, for chorus, FP 97: 4. Tristis est anima mea
14. Quatre petites prières de Saint François d'Assise, for men's chorus, FP 142: 1. Salut, Dame Sainte
15. Quatre petites prières de Saint François d'Assise, for men's chorus, FP 142: 2. Tout puisant, très saint
16. Quatre petites prières de Saint François d'Assise, for men's chorus, FP 142: 3. Seigneur, je vous en prie
17. Quatre petites prières de Saint François d'Assise, for men's chorus, FP 142: 4. O mes très chers frères et mes enfants

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #110463 in Music
• Released on: 2003-09-23
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .25 pounds

Customer Reviews

Wish there was more.
Poulenc's mass in G is the highlight of this all a cappella disc. At about 18-1/2 minutes total, it is just too short - you want it to continue forever. It's texture is rich and exquisitely executed by Shaw and his forces. Poulenc's sophistication blends the deeply sacred texts with 20th century harmonies that evoke ancient mysticism. The "Osanna in excelsis" used in both the Sanctus & Benedictus is a passage of unbelievably straining rapture, as if one would experience aching pleasure in the presence of the divine. Poulenc's music is ethereal, effortless, masterful and timeless. The other motets and prayers included on this disc are excellent also, especially the Hodie Christus natus est and Vinea mea electa. The sound quality on this recording is excellent and the gothic cathedral, stained glass and swirls of incense come right along with it.

Beautiful balance and blend
My initial response is simply, "Ooooo....Ahhhhh..." The Festival Singers' voices are perfectly balanced and well blended and therefore effectively communicate the sacred reverence of Poulenc's writing while emphasizing the beautiful harmonies of his music. I think the echo of the church is just enough to help the listener feel he/she is present, but not so much as to muddle the music. It's actually very accurate for a European cathedral choral sound. As a choir singer, I have a special appreciation for their attention to detail and perfectly tuned chords making very challenging 20th century music sound deceptively simple without sacrificing any of the emotional attributes of the pieces.

Spiritual music
This CD comprises a great quantity of a cappella sacred music by the French composer Francis Poulenc. Poulenc's compositional style is hard to nail down. It is often tongue in cheek, sometimes portraying the French compositional school, sometimes greatly dissonant, sometimes intimate, other times outlandish. This disk has many of these features, but it almost seems neo-Medieval/Renaissance in presentation, but highly 20th century in harmonic language. The voice parts are extremely difficult to perform and to put together, but in the end as a listener, the music doesn't let on. The music is presented as highly spiritual through thick chords and advanced harmonies with odd clashes of dissonance on appropriate texts. Melodies are flowing, often recalling snatches of chant.

The two sets of motets, four for Christmas and four for Lent, are highly introspective and personal. The famous Timor et Tremor and O magnum mysterium are evocative of the Poulencian style, but all the same, bring to mind Palestrina. The Lenten motets give a sense of great penitence and reflection on the last days of Jesus. The Christmas motets, while still subdued, are ones more of hope and longing. Poulenc's great mastery of melody is especially noticeable in the setting of Vinea mea, making the listener want the music to never stop. The Mass in G major is the traditional mass setting minus the Credo movement. The greatest changes of tempo and mood take place here. The quicker Gloria and Sanctus show Poulenc's genius at contrasting styles, textures, and complex rhythms along with constantly shifting harmonies.

The real treasures on the disk are the four prayers of St. Francis of Assise for men's chorus. Very much reminiscent of monk's chanting, Poulenc's penchant for creative and flowing melodies is exemplified here. The subtle shifts of harmonies create a spiritual kaleidoscope of choral colors. Truly remarkable compositions.

The Robert Shaw Festival Singers perform well. The men in the prayers are nearly flawless. There is someone in the soprano 1 section that sticks out of the texture and is a bit piercing in timbre, but overall the performances shimmer. There are few recordings that can stand up to this choir, of American choirs at least, but certainly none can surpass the moments that Robert Shaw creates. If you enjoy the strains of cathedral choirs or if you are unfamiliar with these works, this might be an interesting choice for you.