4.0 out of 5 stars
Spirited and enjoyable performances, February 5, 2012
This review is from: Secular Choral Music (Audio CD)
While I am hard pressed to judge them as being overall superior, at least a program of Poulenc's secular choral works provide a more variegated and multi-faceted listening experiences than a program of his sacred works. Some of the secular works are light and airy, but the centerpiece of such a program is of course his deeply felt cantata Figure humaine with the famous, passionate "Liberte" (with its stupendous final top E) and, perhaps the best movement, the beautiful "Toi ma patiente". The New London Chamber Choir under James Wood delivers an impressive performances; the text is (fairly) clearly rendered, the phrasing splendid and the general sound vivid, well nuanced, rich and deep even if there are competing versions that give them a run for the money especially in the faster and more brilliant parts.
The other serious work, Un soir de neige, is deeply felt and movingly done as well. Even so, the chorus is arguably even more impressive in the lighter music. The singers are superb in the variegated and atmospheric Sept chansons, and even more impressively virtuosic in the hugely enjoyable Chansons francaises - here is beauty, energy, drama, vitality, humor, and atmosphere aplenty. Chanson a boire is a slight piece, but done with humor and panache, and the miniature Petites voix is charming and charmingly sung. Although I don't wish to claim that these performances outdo all the competition (I would, honestly, not know if they did in most of the music), this is a very fine and eminently recommendable disc. Do give it a try.
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