Hyperion Records | Poulenc: The Complete Chamber Music

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CDA67255/6
2CDs

Recording details: January 1999
Henry Wood Hall, London, United Kingdom
Produced by Andrew Keener
Engineered by Antony Howell & Julian Millard
Release date: November 1999
Total duration: 145 minutes 25 seconds

GRAMOPHONE EDITOR'S CHOICE
BBC CD REVIEW 'DISC OF THE MONTH'

'Thirteen pieces lovingly brought to life by the Nash Ensemble. For once, the word 'jewel-box' for the CD container sounds about right.' (BBC CD Review)

'Entrancing. It's hard to select the choicest treasures from this jewel box of Poulenc's most witty and vivacious, hauntingly melodic and touchingly heartfelt music, especially when it is played with such effervescence and devotion as here. The two masterpieces are the Sextet for Piano and Winds (1932) and the delectable "Mozartian" Trio for Piano, Oboe and Bassoon, played with dashing elan and soulful lyricism by the pianist Ian Brown and the Nash's brilliant wind principals. Richard Watkins's long-breathed account of the moving Elégie in memoriam Dennis Brain (1957) and Paul Watkins's noble-toned playing of the Cello Sonata (1940/48) are exceptional. But there is rapture, elation, zany high spirits in all of this music, dazzlingly played by the Nash Ensemble. Buy, buy, buy!' (The Sunday Times)

'A set which will surely and deservedly be popular.' (BBC Music Magazine)

'Thoroughly excellent' (The Observer)

'Those who treasure performances of this music should hear this recording to discover the insights which the very best of today's musicians bring to these scores' (Classic Express)

'An altogether first-class collection if Poulenc's very individual chamber music output played with real sensitivity ... .outstanding performances. The whole issue wins my enthusiastic recommendation: it bids fair to become the undisputed yardstick for the future.' (Gramophone)

'It would be hard to imagine more consistently on-target presentations of Poulenc’s chamber music or more appropriate sound reproduction. Highly recommended' (Fanfare, USA)

Francis Poulenc (1899-1963)

The Complete Chamber Music

The Nash Ensemble

LISTEN TO ALL EXTRACTS

		Sextet for piano, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and horn
CD1	1	Movement 1: Allegro vivace. Très vite et emporté [7'41]
	2	Movement 2: Divertissement. Andantino [4'21]
	3	Movement 3: Finale. Prestissimo – Subito très lent [5'30]
		Sonata for violin and piano
	4	Movement 1: Allegro con fuoco [6'31]
	5	Movement 2: Intermezzo. Très lent et calme [6'38]
	6	Movement 3: Presto tragico – Strictement la double plus lent [5'22]
		Sonata for two clarinets
	7	Movement 1: Presto [1'54]
	8	Movement 2: Andante. Très lent [2'50]
	9	Movement 3: Vif. Vite avec joie [1'45]
		Sonata for horn, trumpet and trombone
	10	Movement 1: Allegro moderato. Grazioso [4'44]
	11	Movement 2: Andante. Très lent [2'22]
	12	Movement 3: Rondeau. Animé [1'24]
		Sonata for cello and piano
	13	Movement 1: Allegro. Tempo di marcia [5'57]
	14	Movement 2: Cavatine. Très calme [6'37]
	15	Movement 3: Ballabile. Très animé et gai [3'26]
	16	Movement 4: Finale. Largo, très librement – Presto subito – Largo [6'29]
		Sonata for clarinet and piano
CD2	1	Movement 1: Allegro tristamente – Très calme – Tempo allegretto [4'51]
	2	Movement 2: Romanza. Très calme [4'50]
	3	Movement 3: Allegro con fuoco – Très animé [3'02]
	4	Sarabande for solo guitar [2'40]
	5	Villanelle for piccolo 'pipe' and piano [1'40]
		Sonata for oboe and piano
	6	Movement 1: Élégie. Paisiblement [5'13]
	7	Movement 2: Scherzo. Très animé [3'51]
	8	Movement 3: Déploration. Très calme [4'22]
	9	Élégie for horn and piano 'in memory of Dennis Brain' [8'54]
		Trio for piano, oboe and bassoon
	10	Movement 1: Lent – Presto [5'08]
	11	Movement 2: Andante con moto [4'41]
	12	Movement 3: Rondo. Très vif [3'07]
		Sonata for clarinet and bassoon
	13	Movement 1: Allegro. Très rythmé [1'40]
	14	Movement 2: Romance. Andante très doux [2'53]
	15	Movement 3: Finale. Très animé – Andante [2'46]
		Sonata for flute and piano
	16	Movement 1: Allegretto malincolico [4'16]
	17	Movement 2: Cantilena. Assez lent [4'27]
	18	Movement 3: Presto giocoso [3'33]

This collection of the complete chamber music of Poulenc shows the varying styles that he employed. From the jazzy, bitonal passages of the Sonata for Clarinet and Bassoon and the Sonata for Horn, Trumpet and Trombone which has been described as 'Pergolesi with his wig awry' (Roger Nichols, Grove) to the profound beauty of his last three sonatas for wind. All are extremely accessible. The Nash Ensemble gave a series of concerts of Poulenc's music at the Wigmore Hall earlier this year to great critical acclaim and Hyperion are delighted to be able to present this wonderful collection on this, Poulenc's centenary year.