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Hyperion Records

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The Closed Eyes (1890) by Odilon Redon (1840-1916)
Musée d'Orsay, Paris / Lauros / Giraudon / Bridgeman Art Library, London
Track(s) taken from CDA67623
These exquisite miniatures paint four colourful scenes from the nativity story. O magnum mysterium is the most profound: slow and (by Poulenc’s standards) harmonically austere, it grows in intensity toward the final repetition of the main text, via an intimate verse in praise of the Virgin. The text of Quem vidistis makes two demands of the shepherds, set in contrasting ways by Poulenc. ‘Who did you see?’ is a cantilène accompanied by searching quaver movement; by contrast, the imperative ‘Speak … and proclaim the birth of Christ’ is a trumpet blast worthy of the annunciatory angels themselves. The crystalline refrain of Videntes stellam evokes a placid and (of course) starlit night, through which the Magi travel with burgeoning excitement; this reaches a rich climax as they enter the stable and present their gifts; outside the star shines on, undisturbed. In the final motet, Hodie Christus natus est, the faithful make their response to the news with unbuttoned exuberance: ‘Gloria in excelsis Deo’ accompanied by popping champagne corks.

from notes by Robert Quinney © 2008

Recording details: April 2007
All Hallows, Gospel Oak, London, United Kingdom
Produced by Adrian Peacock
Engineered by Mike Hatch
Release date: March 2008
Total duration: 10 minutes 6 seconds

Quatre Motets pour le temps de Noël
composer
1952
author of text
Nos 1 & 2: Matins Reponsories for Christmas Day; No 3: Antiphon, Octave of the Epiphany; No 4: Vespers Antiphon on Christmas Day
Other recordings available for download
Westminster Cathedral Choir, James O'Donnell (conductor)
Westminster Abbey Choir, James O'Donnell (conductor)

Other albums featuring this work
Cover of 'A Christmas Caroll from Westminster Abbey' (CDA67716)
Cover of 'Poulenc: Mass & Motets' (CDA66664)
Cover of 'Christmas through the ages' (NOEL1)
Christmas through the ages
MP3 £3.50
FLAC £3.50
ALAC £3.50
NOEL1  Super-budget price sampler — Deleted  
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