Poulenc: Mass in G major; Motets
Our Price: $9.98
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Buy Used: from $2.00 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more new music releases
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Music CD Cover
Composer: Francis PoulencConductor: Robert Shaw
Orchestra: Robert Shaw Festival Singers
Performer: Donna Carter
Performer: Christopher Cock
Edition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2003-09-23
Music Label: Telarc
Soundtracks:
- Kyrie
- Gloria
- Sanctus
- Benedictus
- Agnus Dei
- I. O Magnum Myster
- II. Quem Vidistis Pastores
- III. Videntes Stellam
- IV. Hodie Christus Natus Est
- I. Timor Et Tremor
- II. Vinea Mea Electa
- III. Tenebrae Factae Su
- IV. Tristis Est Anima Mea
- I. Salut, Dame Sainte
- II. Tout Puisan, Tres Saint
- III. Seigneur, Je Vous En Prie
- IV. O Mes Tres Chers Freres Et Mes Enfants
Free Music Notes for Poulenc: Mass in G major; Motets
Free Music Review: Spiritual music
Hit: 5 Stars
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.
Classical Music CDs
Music Genres
Top music charts in Poulenc - Mass in G Major (Discography)
Poulenc: Mass in G major; MotetsRelease date: 2003-09-23; Music CD
Best price: $6.25
Price in other shops:
Poulenc: Mass in G; Quatre Petites Pri?res; Quatre MotetsRelease date: 1994-04-05; Music CD
Best price: $15.06
Price in other shops:
Faur?: Requiem; Poulenc; Mass in G; Durufl?: Two MotetsRelease date: 2007-01-23; Music CD
Best price: $3.19
Price in other shops:
Poulenc and His ContemporariesRelease date: 2006-08-29; Music CD
Best price: $14.46
Price in other shops:
Faur?: Requiem; Cantique de Jean Racine; Durufl?: Requiem; Quatre MotetsRelease date: 1995-06-13; Music CD
Best price: $10.00
Price in other shops:
Sacred Choral Music (Jewl)Release date: 2005-11-17; Music CD
Best price: $14.98
Frank Martin: Mass for Double Choir / Francis Poulenc: Mass in G; Salve ReginaRelease date: 1992-12-02; Music CD
Best price: $11.17
Price in other shops:
Poulenc: Motets; MesseRelease date: 1996-07-10; Music CD
Best price: $31.68
Top Rated Albums
Poulenc: Concerto for 2 Pianos; Piano Concerto; AubadeRelease date: 2006-08-15; Music CD
Best price: $3.96
Price in other shops:
Poulenc: Piano WorksRelease date: 2004-10-12; Music CD
Best price: $6.94
Price in other shops:
Appear & InspireRelease date: 1996-02-27; Music CD
Best price: $3.49
Price in other shops:
A Robert Shaw Christmas - Angels on HighRelease date: 1997-09-23; Music CD
Best price: $6.92
Price in other shops:
Verdi: Requiem & Operatic ChorusesRelease date: 1990-10-25; Music CD
Best price: $8.29
Price in other shops:
Poulenc: Chamber MusicRelease date: 1989-10-20; Music CD
Best price: $11.89
Price in other shops:
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Vespers (Mass for Unaccompanied Chorus)Release date: 1990-03-15; Music CD
Best price: $10.59
Price in other shops:
Walton: Belshazzar's Feast; Bernstein: Chichester Psalms; Missa BrevisRelease date: 1989-11-21; Music CD
Best price: $3.68
Price in other shops:
Poulenc: Gloria; Concerto for Organ; Stravinsky: Symphony of PsalmsRelease date: 2004-08-24; Music CD
Best price: $6.64
Price in other shops:
Poulenc: Gloria; Stabat MaterRelease date: 1989-07-20; Music CD
Best price: $11.76
Price in other shops: