Poulenc
The Complete Chamber Music
Philippa Davies - flute/piccolo
Gareth Hulse - oboe
Richard Hosford - clarinet
Michael Harris - clarinet
Ursula Leveaux - bassoon
Richard Watkins - horn
John Wallace - trumpet
David Purser - trombone
Leo Phillips - violin
Paul Watkins - cello
Craig Ogden - guitar
Ian Brown piano
| 2 Compact Discs CDA67255/6
"TOWARDS the end of the composer's centenary year comes this entrancing set of his chamber music from players long seasoned in this repertoire. It's hard to select the choicest treasures from this jewel box of Poulenc's most witty and vivacious, hauntingly melodic and touchingly heartfelt music, especially when it is played with such effervescence and devotion as here. The two masterpieces are the Sextet for Piano and Winds (1932) and the delectable "Mozartian" Trio for Piano, Oboe and Bassoon, played with dashing elan and soulful lyricism by the pianist Ian Brown and the Nash's brilliant wind principals. Richard Watkins's long-breathed account of the moving Elégie in memoriam Dennis Brain (1957) and Paul Watkins's noble-toned playing of the Cello Sonata (1940/48) are exceptional. But there is rapture, elation, zany high spirits in all of this music, dazzlingly played by the Nash Ensemble. Buy, buy, buy!" Sunday Times 14 November '99 e-mail the Nash Ensemble of London Biography | Repertoire | Diary | Reviews Recordings - overview |