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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...
Poulenc’s Catholic faith is much written about. The familiar contradictions in his character, the saint versus the sinner, somehow served to ignite a flame in his music – it’s as if the musical realization of ecstasy tinged with terror acted as a catalyst to inspire some of Poulenc’s most exquisite music.In performance, it demands utter conviction – and anyone who has ever tried will also know...