 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Kevin
Date: 2004-04-09 02:37
Recently, ever since having the pleasure to watch the Labeque sisters perform the Concerto for 2 Pianos in person, I've been hooked on Poulenc's style. I haven't heard too much stuff by him though, and I'd like to add some Poulenc into my music collections. Which CD's and works would you guys like to suggest?
BTW, this is ALOMARvelous12, under a new screen name.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tom Piercy
Date: 2004-04-09 10:42
Some chamber pieces:
Sextet!!!! - fun piece for woodwind quintet and piano
Sonatas for:
clarinet & piano
oboe & piano
flute & piano
violin & piano
cello & piano
Duos for:
clarinet & bassoon
two clarinets (clarinet in Bb and clarinet in A)
Trios:
oboe, bassoon, piano
horn, trumpet, trombone
There are several "Complete Chamber Music of Poulenc" CDs available.
One of my favorites is with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (Gervase De Peyer, clarinet). There is also an inexpensive, multi-volume Complete Chamber Music of Poulenc available on the Naxos label.
Larger scale vocal works: "Gloria" and "Stabat Mater"
Tom Piercy
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: kenabbott
Date: 2004-04-09 12:50
I developed a similar interest after playing his oboe and clarinet sonatas. I just bought the 5 CD "Complete Chamber Music" set on Naxos. It's cheap to begin with and even cheaper via at half.com. I think it's great.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarnibass
Date: 2004-04-09 17:17
ye the duet for 2 clarinets is great.
i played the sonata (i think it was a sonata, but it is more like a duet actually)) for clarinet and piano but didn't like it so much.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Kevin
Date: 2004-04-09 22:50
I'm somewhat familiar with some of Poulenc's chamber music, expecially those from the later periods of his life, such as the clarinet sonata. Don't have any recordings outside the clarinet stuff though... and I'll definately look at some CD's next time I head to the shop.
I still need a recording of the concerto for 2 pianos. I know the Labeques' have recorded it once with the BSO, but I'm not sure whether its still actively circulating. Amazon has it listed, but not in stock.
That CMSLC cycle that includes de Peyer seems awfully enticing. I don't have any discs of de Peyer performing solo, only as principle of Krisp's LSO, though I've heard radio broadcasts of him every once in a while (his Saint Saens is fabulous).
Also, anybody feel if Poulencs Piano Concerto (1 piano); Concerto for Organ tympani and strings; or the Concert chametre for Harpsicord and Orchestra are worth checking out? These are his other big keyboard works that I've heard of.
I have a lesson with my music theory teacher this coming Wednesday afternoon, and for this week we're moving our lesson place more towards uptown. This means I'd have time to go over to that 66th Street Tower Reccords, with a extensive classical collection and a big Naxos shelf.
Let me know if there's any 'can't-do-without' Poulenc CD's out there...
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tom A
Date: 2004-04-10 00:25
The Organ Concerto is among Poulenc's better-known orchestral works. I love it, and everyone I've discussed it with has liked it to different degrees. I recommend highly the music from the ballet Les Biches.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Liquorice
Date: 2004-04-10 07:57
Listen to the 1958 recording of "Dialogues des Carmelites" with Pierre Dervaux. Poulenc wrote the opera with many of the speific singers in mind, and was also at the recording sessions. I would also highly recomend listening to "Gloria", because there are some parallel sections in the clarinet sonata. And of course, all of the suggestions above...
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Kevin
Date: 2004-04-13 01:39
The most interesting thing happened today...
This afternoon, I finally headed to the store to get those Poulenc stuff.
I was looking at a CD of his organ concerto, and apparently someone noticed that I was looking through that particular piece. He came over and started to begin a conversation. I found out that he was an alumnus of Eastman, and had known Francis Poulenc. In fact he still owns an autographed score of one of Poulenc's piano pieces. We went own to ave a little 5 minute convo. I told him about how I had recently begun to like the work of Poulenc, how I had heard the Labeques perform the double concerto, and that I played the Poulenc clarinet sonata. He was overly impressed that I am able to play the piece, and that I have extensively composed music at my age. He told me about how masterfull of a work the organ and the concert champetre were, and talked about the pleasure of meeting Poulenc, and how important it is for young people of today to develope such an interest in classical music, so that it can continue to survive tommorow.
Quite an inspirational day for me, I won't forget that conversation.
BTW, I picked up a double disc set that contained all of Poulenc's major keyboard/orchestral works: the Piano Concerto, Sextet for Woodwinds Horn Piano, Sonata for Two Pianos, Concerto for Two Pianos, Organ Concerto, Concert champetre, and Gloria.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Sartre Heidegger
Date: 2004-05-15 03:02
I suggest "French Clarinet Art" by Paul Meyer.
It contains the Clarinet Sonata (1962) by Poulenc which is the only Poulenc piece it contains however, it is played very well. Its on the fast side but out of 3 recordings I have for that piece, one by David Shifrin and other is by Pascal Rogé, it is the most well played piece that portrays Poulenc's shock from the news of a death of a close friend.
Furthermore, other pieces in the CD, such as Camille Saint-Saëns's Sonata, are also beautifully played and either piece alone would be enough for me to buy the CD (if I didn't have it already  )
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Liquorice
Date: 2004-05-15 11:31
Pascal Rogé is a pianist. The clarinetist on that recording is probably Michel Portal.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: kenabbott
Date: 2004-05-16 02:21
I like the "Poulenc: Complete Chamber Music" series on Naxos. It can be had for cheaps at Amazon or half.com.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ajablons
Date: 2004-05-16 06:18
Am I missing something from Poulenc, I just can't get into his stuff...
What do you like about it?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: craig
Date: 2004-05-16 07:49
I think it's probably impossible to put into words what it is I like about Poulenc. For me, the Clarinet sonata was an instant favorite, and while I was working on a performance of the Sextet I came to think it's one of the greatest pieces of chamber music written for winds. Some of his other works have taken time to grow on me though.
I guess it boils down to what your ear and mind respond to. Personally, I feel like you don't have to like a work or composer because other people do... but I always try to give it/him a shot to see if they're right. Beyond that, there's nothing else you can do.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Kevin
Date: 2004-05-16 14:47
Well, now that I've had time to familiarize myself with his better known works, I'll have to say that Poulenc have made his way up the list to the top 5 of my favorite composers.
The Concerto for Two Pianos still remain my favorite work, with Gloria a close second followed by the Sextet.
One sure thing I've noticed is that there are tons of familiar melodies written in his music. Poulenc wasn't shy about using other people's tunes, and other composers have quoted him as well.
In the Double Concerto's second movement, he pays tribute to Mozart. Also, In the Harpsicord Concert Champetre, you can hear the theme from Eine Kleine Nachtmusik.
In the Bartok Concerto for Orchestra, there's a melody taken from Gloria (I believe the it was written after Gloria, so Bartok quoted Poulenc, not vise versa). And in the opening bars of Poulenc's Piano (single piano) Concerto, why isn't that where the Brady Bunch song came from?
Oh, and the third movement of the clarinet sonata is based on an old French tune as well.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2004-05-17 14:45
ajablons -
Too many Poulenc performances are all gritted teeth and grim, gray affect. Actually, he's about a riot of colors.
Poulenc works only if you have the technique to play it effortlessly, and as if you were Maurice Chevalier walking down a flower-lined boulevard on a perfect spring day, smiling at the pretty girls.
The sextet for piano and winds, for example, is full of musical jokes, particularly in the slow movement. All those wide upward leaps go "one step too far," to non-harmonic notes. If you insist on the dissonances, you spoil the fun. You have to do it with a wink and a raised eyebrow.
In the clarinet duo, you should have the audience laughing out loud. And Poulenc tells you to play the first movement of the clarinet sonata "tristamente," with a tear glistening on your cheek.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
