Poulenc: Piano Concerto, Organ Concerto & Stabat Mater (Live)
Alexandre Tharaud, James O'Donnell, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Kate Royal, London Philharmonic Choir
Yannick Nézet-Séguin clearly loves the music of Francis Poulenc—and what’s not to love? From the Gothic horror vistas of the organ concerto, via the rhythmic vitality of the piano concerto, to a near-kitsch sound world in the Stabat Mater, Poulenc’s musical voice is seductive. There’s a humanity to that balance of the sacred and the profane that infuses all his compositions, and this trio of works offers a wonderful insight into his personality. Terrific soloists, an energised choir and a London Philharmonic Orchestra on top form make this an unmissable and thrilling album.