Search - Francis Poulenc, Yan Pascal Tortelier, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra :: Poulenc: Gloria; Stabat Mater

Poulenc, the spoiled kid of a wealthy pharmaceuticals magnate, was the last person in the world you would think of as a one of this century's great composers of sacred music. But here he is, setting these ancient Latin texts in his own eclectic style, and proving once and for all that even religious music can be sensual, toe-tapping, and above all, fun. Both of these works became instant classics from their initial performances for exactly these reasons, and also because of their sincerity and lack of pretension. These excellent performances have been extremely well recorded, and Yan Pascal Tortelier projects the music with just the right combination of elegance and innocence. --David Hurwitz