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Desenclos Poulenc Villette (2014)

desenclos_requiemWinner of the coveted Prix de Rome, Alfred Desenclos remains an almost unknown figure in twentieth-century music. His contribution to the distinguished French tradition of Requiem Mass settings dates from 1963; incorporating influences from Gregorian chant as well as rich harmonies based on added-note chords, this piece with its passionate outpourings is a revelation.

It forms the centrestone of David Trendell’s programme, which also features music by Villette – who shared Desenclos’ interest in jazz – and Poulenc, whose return to Catholicism in 1936 initiated a line of pieces, beginning with the Litanies a la Vierge noire de Rocamadour, that represent some of the most significant religious choral music of the twentieth century.

Trendell’s choir is on ravishing form, and the organ at his alma mater, Exeter College, Oxford, partners this music like a velvet glove.

 

Buy the Desenclos Poulenc Vilette (2014) CD

  

Track listing

  • 1-7 Alfred Desenclos Messe de Requiem [36:29]
  • 8 Pierre Villette O sacrum convivium [3:31]
  • 9 Vilette Hymne a la Vierge [4:17]
  • 10 Vilette Attende Domine [6:15]
  • 11 Desenclos Salve regina [4:41]
  • 12 Desenclos Nos autem [5:00]
  • 13 Francis Poulenc Litanies a la Vierge noire [9:10]

Total playing time [69:30]

Postage & Packaging of CDs

Please note that we package and post on Mondays and Wednesdays in term time ONLY, and on most Mondays outside of term. Please email us at choir@kcl.ac.uk to check before you purchase to avoid disappointment.

Last P&P date before Christmas is Weds 11 December '24