Poulenc's choral works constitute a high point in the choral art of the twentieth century. Figure humaine is probably Poulenc's most original choral score. Written in the middle of World War II, this cantata set to eluard's texts includes the famous Liberte, a poem that the RAF dropped in the form of leaflets over France. Quatre petites prieres de saint Francois d'Assise was composed in 1948 at the request of the composer's nephew, Brother Jerome Poulenc. These four short prayers to texts by Saint Francis of Assisi are dedicated to the Friars Minor of Champfleury. Poulenc's Sept chansons for mixed chorus bring together poems by Apollinaire and eluard. Influenced by Monteverdi, they belong to the tradition of Debussy's Trois chansons de Charles d'Orleans. Since its foundation after the Second World War, the RIAS-Kammerchor has played an important role in the musical life of Berlin. Contemporary music has always been at the heart of its repertoire and these performances, led by Daniel Reuss are presented with innate understanding and deep reverence. |
