Poulenc: Organ Concerto; Piano Concerto; Concerto for Two Pianos; Concert Champêtre; Aubade

This starts well and gets better. In concertos, as in songs, the Chaplin of music is at his peak. If you have a soft spot anywhere, he will find it. What other composer can switch in a single bar from mockery to wholehearted song, or write an organ concerto that mixes almighty terror with naughty thoughts in church? This is not to belittle him, just to celebrate an inimitable character. The orchestra may be Dutch, but its brass and wind have a good time and the soloists, finely balanced against it, all show fizz, drive and deftness.

Our rating

5

Published: January 20, 2012 at 2:31 pm

COMPOSERS: Poulenc
LABELS: Erato Duo Bonsai
WORKS: Organ Concerto; Piano Concerto; Concerto for Two Pianos; Concert Champêtre; Aubade
PERFORMER: Marie-Claire Alain (organ) Ton Koopman (harpsichord) François-René Duchable (piano) Jean-Philippe Collard (piano)Rotterdam PO/James Conlon
CATALOGUE NO: 4509-95303-2 DDD (1986)

This starts well and gets better. In concertos, as in songs, the Chaplin of music is at his peak. If you have a soft spot anywhere, he will find it. What other composer can switch in a single bar from mockery to wholehearted song, or write an organ concerto that mixes almighty terror with naughty thoughts in church? This is not to belittle him, just to celebrate an inimitable character. The orchestra may be Dutch, but its brass and wind have a good time and the soloists, finely balanced against it, all show fizz, drive and deftness. Outstanding when new, the discs together are ridiculously good value, uninterrupted bliss even for an old straight. Robert Maycock

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