Customer Reviews

Poulenc: Gloria; Stabat Mater

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The reviewer who was disappointed that Battle sings a relatively
short (but critically important) part in this music is correct. She sings the part the Poulenc wrote, afterall! The listener who
was disappointed that the choir was out-volumed by the orchestra
in this recording was also correct. The choir should have been
given more volume in the final mix. Although I wish the choir
did have a stronger part in the final outcome (volume wise), I
wrote this blurb to let those interested in the best recorded version of this music on cd, that NOTHING ELSE in the amazon Poulenc catalog for these two compositions comes even remotely close to matching the fine orchestral performance, conducting and
engineering of this recording. The dynamics, tempi, and overall
glorious interpretation of the music on this cd is absolutely
exhilirating. Something I'm sure Poulenc would appreciate.

These are both powerful choral works. However, the choir tends to be overpowered by the orchestra in this recording. The subtle intricacies of Poulenc's choral writing are often inaudible...and missed. Another recording would be a better choice, though these are works that should be a part of your music library.

This is the simply a slpendid recording- well paced, energetic and in excellent sound. I have a suspicion that many people drawn to these works pay undo emphasis on the choir [or they are choir singers] and understandably get frustrating when the choir is not front and center in the musical proceedings. But what Poulenc wrote here does not emphasize the choir [he was a master instrumentalist after all!] so the orchestra should be more prominent at times. Ragardless, this is a great performance!

The choir is great, and the Soprano, Katherine Bates is simply astonishing. Poulenc alternates both fast, agressive and slow, calm movements, with the dissonant chords typical of the music of the beginning of the century.

Ozawa is a great interpreter, and Kathleen Battle is a fine soprano. The orchestra understands the brightness of Poulenc's orchestrations. However, there is still a bit of a lacking, especially in the choir, which is placed further away from the microphones than they should be. Consequently, they are continually overshadowed by the orchestra.

It's hard to argue, however, with the right tempos, the excellent playing, and the wonderful soloist.

The recording quality of this performance is dismal. The choir sounds as if the mikes were covered with felt. The orchestra sound isn't as bad, but is muffled too.

I have numerous choir/orchestra recordings and this one is by far the worse in terms of the reproduction quality. I would not recommend this.

I own two versions of this piece with judith blegin and kathleen battle. The latter is excellent with a superior soloist and excellent choir direction, a truly inspiring piece.

I think that this is an excellent recording to sit back and relax to. "Domine Deus", Mvnt. 3 is breath- taking while 2&4 gave me a sense of motivation. The timpani at the very end is inspiring and makes this piece complete.

This is a lovely album for choral music lovers. Unfortunately, fans of Kathleen Battle will be disappointed that she sings on perhaps 4% of the album. When she does sing, she is under-miked and hard to hear. In all, a very disapointing album for someone who is a great lover of Ms. Battle's magnificent tone and vocal technique.