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Poulenc leaves Paris鈥檚 exciting avant-garde social scene, and makes a life-altering pilgrimage to the shrine of Rocamadour.

Francis Poulenc was the epitome of Parisian high society: suave, convivial and connected. Or was that how he wanted us to see him? The critic Claude Rostand famously commented that Poulenc was a combination of 鈥渕oine et voyou鈥 - monk and rogue. This week, we follow the composer from Paris鈥檚 artisanal upper class heartland, to the city鈥檚 dark underbelly, discovering the moments when the monk and the rogue met face-to-face.

In today鈥檚 programme, we鈥檒l hear how Poulenc dragged himself away from the excitement of Paris鈥檚 avant-garde social scene, and made a pilgrimage to the shrine of Rocamadour鈥 journey that would set him on a new path entirely.

Cello Sonata: II. Cavatine & IV. Finale
Daniel M眉ller-Schott, cello
Robert Kulek, piano

Les Soir茅es de Nazelles
Pascal Rog茅, piano

Les Litanies 脿 la Vierge Noire
RTF Maitrise De Radio France
Orchestre National de France
Charles Dutoit, conductor

Fian莽ailles Pour Rire
Natalie Dessay, soprano
Philippe Cassard, piano
Laurent Naouri, baritone

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Francis Poulenc

    Cello Sonata (2nd & 4th mvts)

    Performer: Daniel M眉ller鈥怱chott. Performer: Robert Kulek.
    • Warner Classics : 5752012.
    • Warner Classics.
    • 6.
  • Francis Poulenc

    Les Soirees de Nazelles

    Performer: Pascal Rog茅.
    • Decca : 4174382.
    • Decca.
    • 1.
  • Francis Poulenc

    Litanies a la Vierge Noire

    Choir: Ma卯trise de Radio France. Orchestra: Orchestre national de France. Conductor: Charles Dutoit.
    • DECCA : 475-8454.
    • DECCA.
    • 7.
  • Francis Poulenc

    Fiancailles pour rire

    Performer: Philippe Cassard. Singer: Natalie Dessay. Singer: Laurent Naouri.
    • Erato : 2564-61144 0.
    • Erato.
    • 8.

Broadcast

  • Wed 19 Apr 2023 12:00

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