Poulenc's Figure Humaine

[ardcarp]

Good to hear this taking a prominent place in the Proms (last Sunday evening). Interesting to hear Rattle talking about it, especially mentioning that it was first performed in England by the BBCS in WW2. Rattle emphasised that the piece is a difficult sing ('horrendous' is the word he used I think to describe its difficulty.) Never having had the chance to sing it, I really don't know, Pitching must be quite a problem I guess, but is it really more difficult than, say, Britten's Variations on a Boy Was Born? Maybe someone who has sung the piece could comment.

Sorry I've posted this on The Choir and not on a Prom thread.

[jonfan]

Yes, what a piece. Poulenc held a copy up to his window as the Americans marched in to relieve Paris. It's one of those pieces that need to sound and be difficult in order to reflect the triumph of overcoming great odds. In a totally different context Elgar wanted the same effect at the end of the finale of his first symphony with the return of the big tune.

[Pulcinella]

Roger Nichols, in his book on Poulenc, writes (page 163):

Nor was he [Poulenc] prepared to accept chamber choirs, suggesting initially a choir of around 200; when, for the première in London, it was suggested that sixty singers might be enough, Poulenc retorted that eighty-four would be nearer the mark, with seven singers to each part. For the Carnegie Hall première in 1950 he accepted eighty singers (with sixty rehearsals!). No doubt he was thrilled to have a performance in Belgium with 250.

The mind boggles.

[Triforium]

Sang it years ago at a Poulenc festival. Once you have learned the theme for the fugue - La menace sous le ciel rouge - it sticks with you......