Repertoire: The BEST Poulenc Concert Champȇtre

[@LordoftheFleet]

I've only just stumbled across your review of recordings of one of my favourite pieces, and I loved it when you said "let the music breathe" because you're so right! These days there seem to be so many people who are afraid to play slow music slowly. They rush through it and, as a result, the music loses all emotion, expression and expansiveness.

[@judsonmusick3177]

Dave, I ordered a 2-CD set from Arkiv Music that included Ruzickova's renditions of the Poulenc, Martinu, de Falla, etc. concertos AND Bach and Scarlatti and Bach harpsichord pieces. It was on the Supraphon label. Quite a neat way to acquire recordings of both Baroque and 20th-century harpsichord repertoire. I am enjoying it immensely.

[@brospore7897]

Thank you for covering this fantastic piece and I will comment here because a lot of the other videos of yours I like have too many comments already, this is the first one below 100! I first learned of Poulenc when a teenager with his Piano/Wind Sextet, and it was my first time hearing music like that, it was ridiculous and silly but at the same time had these beautiful melodic parts with cheesy harmonies, and I fell in love. I never cared for his Piano Concerto and Organ Concerto, but along with this harpsichord concerto I love his 2 Piano concerto and adore his Stabat Mater. I would be really curious to know if you like those pieces and if you'd ever consider doing a survey on them (Wind/Piano Sextet, 2 Piano concerto, Stabat Mater). THanks for all the videos, I just discovered your channel. I remember your name from reading Mahler reviews years ago after I was looking for thoughts and opinions on Mahler after Tony Duggan passed. I must say, your videos are hilarious and the way you talk about classical music is so damn refreshing. Love your vid about pronunciation, should be required watching for all classical music fans. I wasnt sure if you were talking about Tolkien wraith lords or that French conductor.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Thanks for your comments. I love those other Poulenc works, and sure I'd like to talk about them--eventually. The Sextuor is hard to ruin, but the other two have a nice range of good and less good versions. I also love the Piano Concerto and Organ Concerto, though.

[@brospore7897]

@@DavesClassicalGuide thank you for your latest review of the Poulenc box set. Your humming of the snake charmer tune takes me right to the 3rd mvt of this Concert Champetre, and your gushing over Poulenc and outright rebuttal of his reputation as a less serious composer gives me reason to learn his other works now, and give the piano and organ concerto another chance. He does repeat his themes, similar to how Shostakovich does, again thank you for your great service to the appreciation of classical music!! We need more content creators like you, you are one of a kind.

[@duncanjams889]

Sir Thomas Beecham had it right: “The sound of a harpsichord - two skeletons copulating on a tin roof in a thunderstorm. ” I can't stand the sound it makes! Great channel Dave, keep up the good work!

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

It really depends on the instrument--they differ from one another far more than pianos do. Some sound delightful.

[@helenwilks7817]

I love the harpsichord, but that's witty!

[@allthisuselessbeauty-kr7]

I didn't see Sanderling coming - will check it out. Thanks for mentioning the Previn/Preston - I had it on LP and it transferred well to CD, as did the Organ Concerto. I also have Van De Wiele coupled with Pretre's great Philharmonia Les Biches (amongst other goodies)!

[@whistlerfred6579]

Wow! I just listened to the Zuzana Růžičková recording. I confess, I never quote "got" the Concert Champȇtre - it seemed a light-hearted piece with odd mood swings. But Růžičková and Sanderling has made this more of a struggle to remain cheerful while the shadows loom, and eventually overwhelm, the optimism. Suddenly, that tragic final chord struck a despairing tone in a way I never heard before. It made sense, whereas I had previously considered it a strange and unconvincing ending to a mostly cheerful piece. I found this performance disconcerting but persuasive and I'm glad you introduced me to it. Although I may need to find some cheerful Poulenc to ease the mood (the "Suite Française" ought to do the trick).

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

So glad you heard this! Thanks for getting back with your reaction.

[@carlconnor5173]

I haven’t heard this one yet. In my mid to late “discovery” phase of record collecting I bought a couple Poulenc records. They’re the Organ concerto and the 2 Piano concerto. I love them. In fact, I haven’t heard a Poulenc piece I didn’t like for one reason or another. He’s a little quirky, but I find that endearing. I understand he was a superb pianist too. He’s under appreciated, in my opinion. Well, I just listened to it and it’s one I can live without. I generally don’t care for the sound of the harpsichord, except when cleverly inserted in Beatle songs (probably by George Martin) and the like.

[@Donaldopato]

I have the Sanderling/Ruzickova performance on LP. My favorite too, with fine sound and pressing as well.

[@ernestrobles1510]

It’s on Qobuz. The Czechs do a very convincing facsimile of a French orchestra.

[@steveschwartz8944]

Van der Weille for me -- where the sound of the harpsichord isn't washed out by the orchestra -- followed by the Ruzickova (with that great Martinu coupling) and the Preston (mainly for beautiful recorded sound).

[@mickeytheviewmoo]

Hello David, great video again. Have you heard the new recording of Poulenc: Concert champêtre Mark Bebbington (piano), Royal Philharmonic Orchestra You were very dismissive over Piano versions and I wonder your views on the new recording. I find it very refreshing on the ear but I am very new to the piece.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Of course! I reviewed it. It's the only version for piano worth owning. Here's my review on ClassicsToday.com: www.classicstoday.com/review/finally-a-recommendable-concert-champetre-on-piano/?search=1

[@judsonmusick3177]

Dave, Landowska used a huge 7.5-foot-long Pleyel Grand Modele de Concert harpsichord to play the Concert Champetre. Well, the Pleyel firm no longer exists. Is such an instrument being made today by someone else?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Beats me, but some of the Pleyels still exist.

[@barryguerrero7652]

That EMI 'two-fer' was a great deal. And as you pointed out, all the works are done quite well on it ("Turangalila"; Organ Concerto, etc.). Here's that Ruzickova two disc set that you mention at Amazon www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0072ZYCTQ/ref=tmm_acd_new_olp_0?ie=UTF8&condition=new&qid=1593067824&sr=1-5.

[@c.iuliusbalbus4399]

My favourite name for an orchestra is "Orquestra Simfònica de Barcelona i Nacional de Catalunya", aka OBC: id est, "Barcelona Symphony and Catalonia National Orchestra", all in one.

[@johnmontanari6857]

Just listened to the Landowska/Stokowski concert version from '49 -- lousy sonics and the performance is bit of a mess, but you do get to hear THE harpsichord. It's on Spotify and Qobuz.

[@MegaVicar]

I can attest to people not taking Poulenc seriously. I dismissed him until I recently heard his setting of the Gloria. Thanks for recommending the Ozawa disc since has two of the works I’m looking for. Any recommendations on his Sinfonietta?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

The new-ish Tingaud on Naxos is the best for that work, hands down.

[@kend.6797]

The Poulenc Gloria is a remarkable work

[@hiphurrah1]

Critics often called Poulenc a 'petit maitre', never understood why..