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POULENC: Gloria | Behind the Score - Episode 67
🕑 Added 2025-10-17 05:31:18 +0000 UTCHey prog rockers...I know you like music with compelling and unexpected harmonic twists and turns...well...here's a piece I think you'll like.
In this edition of Behind the Score, I'm taking you through the Gloria of Francis Poulenc. It was first performed in early 1961, and it has sustained itself in the choral repertoire throughout multiple generations since. I hope you enjoy!
Comments
Joe O'Farrell
As a postscript, a Behind The Score episode featuring the Poulenc Organ Concerto alongside its inspiration, Bach’s G minor Fantasia & Fugue BWV 542 would be fun…
Joe O'Farrell
A lovely introduction - thanks Doug! Sang tenor in the Gloria in my college days and as a flautist, well, who DOESN’T have the sonata in their repertoire? I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve performed it in the last 40+ years! One image that might help anyone approaching the Gloria and trying to make sense of the inherent dichotomies was mentioned by Poulenc himself as an inspiration: a group of monks - in full habits - playing football!
Peter Tutak
I sang the Poulenc "Messe in G" in college, and my then-girlfriend was working on his Sonata for Flute and Piano. Exposure and being enamored with both of those pieces led me to investigate not only more of *his* work, but led me over the years to discover the music of Koechlin, Durufle, and Messaien. Along the way, I found that, more than the interesting and complex use of harmony, I was deeply attracted to the aspects of spirituality AND humanity in many of their works, something I still discover today. Although it shared time as a coaching work for colleague's ensemble, nice work in bringing both, the depth *and* the light in this beautiful work out in your analysis, Doug. Thanks for your efforts on this.
