Search - Francis Poulenc, Eric Ericson, Netherlands Chamber Choir :: Poulenc: Secular Choral Music

Poulenc's exquisite secular choral music in utter clarity

R. Gregory Capaldini | Arlington, VA United States | 05/19/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Poulenc's secular choral music, all unaccompanied but for one rarely heard canata, goes one degree further than his sacred music in several respects. It takes on some very sophisticated French texts -- poetry of Apollinaire and Eluard, for example -- that even native French speakers aren't always entirely sure how to interpret. This body of work also poses incredible challenges of vocal range and stamina while indulging in harmonies both daringly astringent and daringly sweet. Suffice it to say this isn't repertoire for a typical community chorus.



Evidently, conductor Eric Ericson and his Netherlands Chamber Choir have the skills and artistry to make short work of this long and difficult program. In the LP era, Ericson made one of the better recordings of "Figure humaine," an eight-movement work for double choir culminating in a remarkable hymn to Liberty. Now he's re-recorded this on CD and loaded the disc with nearly all the composer's titles in this genre. Strictly in terms of choral precision, I've never heard this music done better, and the interpretations achieve subtlety, boldness, and everything in between without any vocal excesses. Some people rank Ericson (born 1918!) as the world's best choral conductor.



The sound is gloriously clear, with Ericson allowing the indispensible low notes to be heard -- something missing in far too many performances and recordings. If you know Poulenc for his multifarious solo songs or for his sincere but surprising sacred music, this disc will reveal yet another facet of his talent. Excellent annotations add to the package."