Customer Reviews

Poulenc: Concerto pour 2 pianos; Concerto pour piano; Aubade

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This CD is an amazing recording, a presentation of works by the almost unclassifiable composer Francis Poulenc, performed and interpreted by a completely French ensemble of artists. Rarely has a recording of Poulenc captured all of the wit, passion, intricate rhythms, singing lines and demanding dexterity of performers as this one. Stéphane Denève conducts the Orchestre Philharmonique de Liege collaborating with two of France's finest pianists - Frank Braley and Eric Le Sage. As luck would have it this reviewer had the distinct pleasure of hearing the Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra as performed by Braley and Le Sage (Stéphane Denève was to have been the guest conductor for the Los Angeles Philharmonic) under the baton of the LA Phil assistant conductor Lionel Bringuier (a 21-year old French conductor of enormous sensitivity and presence), providing a stimulus to purchase this CD. The performance was not only brilliantly performed but was also enhanced by the amazing acoustic of Disney Hall: the result was one of those rare moments of music magic.

On this recording the balance between pianos and orchestra is excellent in the Concerto for Two Pianos. Denève's tempi are faster than usual but the more brisk tempi somehow set off the elegant slow, Mozart-influenced Larghetto movement. Both Braley and Le Sage are excellent pianists and the effect they achieve make the piano portion sound like one enormous keyboard. This is a sure, crisp, skillful and elegant performance of a work that needs to be included in more concerts in this country.

Eric Le Sage is the soloist for the Concerto for Piano and Orchestra and this performance emphasizes the classicism of the work, finding just the right balance between the lyricism and the Stravinsky-like rhythmic challenges.

The recording concludes with the beautiful and quirky 'Aubade', a choreographic concerto for piano and eighteen instruments. The constantly interesting work begins with a Toccata in the vein of a piano concerto (Le Sage is again the pianist), but then the piano relinquishes focus and the other eighteen instruments provide the dramatic setting for this 'ballet' about the goddess Diana, and in doing so Poulenc has created a small 'concerto for orchestra' type of composition.

All three of the works are expertly performed with Denève's now established reputation as a specialist in French music quite evident. This recording is as fine as any available of these three works and one that will not only satisfy devotees of Poulenc's works, but also serve as a perfect introduction to those not familiar with this music. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, March 08