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Stephen Layton and his superlative choir deliver an inspiring programme of a capella choral works by the Estonian composer. The music springs from the East European folk tradition - rhythmic underlay, biting harmonies, melodies seemingly smoothed by time. The British choristers tackle these alien sounds with conviction, precision, passion, perfect tuning across the octaves and much variety of...
'Stephen Layton's tight control of his forces, both choral and orchestral, lends impeccable ensemble and heart-thumping excitement - has the opening tutti ever had such punch? Soprano Susan Gritton is superb, too, in her committed, soaring performances. The combined choirs of Trinity College, Cambridge and pro group Polyphony are astounding as a vrituoso choral unit … The motets on Layton's...
This is a real treat. Polyphony brings its characteristic incisiveness, precision and evenness of tone to Poulenc's unaccompanied Lenten and Christmas motets, Salve regina and Exultate Deo. But it is the account of the Gloria - Poulenc's monkish habit at its most highly coloured - that makes this a real must-buy.
For this, Polyphony is joined by the Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge , where...
I was 13 or 14 years old when I first heard Poulenc’s Gloria. Not knowing anything by or about this composer - the programme book for the concert only gave the text of the work and no notes on the composer - I couldn’t understand why this liturgical music was so damned enjoyable. It seemed positively sinful actually to derive delightful pleasure from a setting of these words. Now, only a few...
All things considered, Poulenc's Gloria has fared remarkably well on record, with recent versions by Jansons, Hickox and Tortelier ensuring that the piece has remained a favourite repertoire choice of numerous professional choirs.
But this new addition to the catalogue, excellently performed and recorded, is none the less welcome for that. Conductor Stephen Layton and his choir Polyphony are...