Wow, the fastest tempo I've heard yet for this wonderful classic. I like it. That last movement is a bittersweet tear jerker. Love that rest and then the full orchestra ending.
This is a very fine interpretation. I am (over) familiar with the Georges Pretre recording, and this performance is very much more elegant and nimble. The sweet legatos which contrast the staccato passages are exceptionally good. It is also beautifully recorded, which is not always easy for a live performance. And the orchestra is so good! It seems to me that each movement is paying tribute to other composers, almost to point of pastiche -- Mvt 2, Tchaikovsky, Mvt 3 Brahms, Mvt 4 Stravinsky.
Poulenc's own subtitle to this composition was "Goodbye to Youth." The music reflects this. Listen and you'll hear many traditional children's songs very skillfully woven together such as the reoccurring Brahms baby serenade. Ecoute!
This is quite good. Thanks for sharing! It's all in one listening, not broken up into four movements as is the Pretre version here on RUclips. So it's convenient.
Yes, it is all glorious! I have a special weakness for the second movement, which seems close to quoting the scherzo from Tchaikovsky's 6th, and Swan Lake. This is music that makes you smile. French artists (in music, film & art) seem to have the ability to turn material that could easily be trivial, sentimental and cheesy into something really classy. Perhaps it's Gallic self-confidence! I am also a fan of Auric. It's only really his film music I know, especially for the Ealing comedies
I promise not to be high-strung. Ba-DOOMP-tish... Kidding aside, in Poulenc's correspondence I've seen him mention harp color in his orchestrations. In the nearly contemporaneous "Les animaux modeles" ballet, both harp and piano are pretty hard to miss.
wah. i think the person who posted this video deleted my comment. probably thought i was just being creepy to you. joke's on them! i swear playing this in the berlin konzerthaus was one of the best moments of my life. teary eyed when i walked off stage. who was playing clarinet? i don't remember?
Wonderful recording, robustly conducted and executed with panache by the orchestra. Nobody did pastiche better than Poulenc. Thanks!
Music and photo are beautifully
Wow, the fastest tempo I've heard yet for this wonderful classic. I like it. That last movement is a bittersweet tear jerker. Love that rest and then the full orchestra ending.
I. Allegro con fuoco 0:00
II. Molto vivace 8:36
III. Andante cantabile 14:28
IV. Très vite et très gai 21:31
This is a very fine interpretation. I am (over) familiar with the Georges Pretre recording, and this performance is very much more elegant and nimble. The sweet legatos which contrast the staccato passages are exceptionally good.
It is also beautifully recorded, which is not always easy for a live performance. And the orchestra is so good!
It seems to me that each movement is paying tribute to other composers, almost to point of pastiche -- Mvt 2, Tchaikovsky, Mvt 3 Brahms, Mvt 4 Stravinsky.
Poulenc's own subtitle to this composition was "Goodbye to Youth." The music reflects this. Listen and you'll hear many traditional children's songs very skillfully woven together such as the reoccurring Brahms baby serenade.
Ecoute!
There's a versioning of that serenade at about 15:00.
Roger Wilco I've returned and am loving it again.
This is quite good. Thanks for sharing! It's all in one listening, not broken up into four movements as is the Pretre version here on RUclips.
So it's convenient.
Thanks.
Yes, it is all glorious! I have a special weakness for the second movement, which seems close to quoting the scherzo from Tchaikovsky's 6th, and Swan Lake. This is music that makes you smile. French artists (in music, film & art) seem to have the ability to turn material that could easily be trivial, sentimental and cheesy into something really classy. Perhaps it's Gallic self-confidence!
I am also a fan of Auric. It's only really his film music I know, especially for the Ealing comedies
The music is awesome, and so the photo: can you give me the name of the photographer? Thanks :)
You are most welcome.
This video will not play past 31 seconds.... I have tried it several times and it stops in the same place and will not down load beyond this point.
I have yet to admit the first movement is still my favourite, I know it is such a cliché but...
@KenKeppel So does to me, you're welcome!
I listened to the whole recording, several times, just in case; do erase your cookies, and then try again, perhaps, that might work.
You're welcome.
The only thing I find odd about the performance is that the harp is either lost in the balance or is being played a bit reticently.
Mezzotenor Don't harp on it. :)
I promise not to be high-strung. Ba-DOOMP-tish... Kidding aside, in Poulenc's correspondence I've seen him mention harp color in his orchestrations. In the nearly contemporaneous "Les animaux modeles" ballet, both harp and piano are pretty hard to miss.
As a harpist, thanks for listening.
wah. i think the person who posted this video deleted my comment. probably thought i was just being creepy to you. joke's on them! i swear playing this in the berlin konzerthaus was one of the best moments of my life. teary eyed when i walked off stage. who was playing clarinet? i don't remember?