When Francis Poulenc’s Gloria was first carried out in 1961, some critics derided it as “sacrilegious.”
Along with his setting of the liturgical textual content, scored for refrain, soprano solo, and enormous orchestra, Poulenc adopted within the footsteps of composers resembling Vivaldi and Handel. However right here, the exalted textual content is approached, not with solemnity, however with playful exuberance. Mysticism blends with humor. There’s a joyful sense of tune, dance, and the sounds of a Parisian cafe. The textual content unfolds with a conversational rhythm. Summing up the spirit of the work, Poulenc mentioned, “Whereas writing it I had in thoughts these Crozzoli frescoes with angels protruding their tongues, and in addition some solemn-looking Benedictine monks that I noticed enjoying soccer at some point.”
The primary motion (Gloria in excelsis Deo) begins with a celebratory musical announcement in G main. The theme instantly quotes the opening of Igor Stravinsky’s 1925 Serenade in A for Piano. The refrain emerges over a stressed strolling bass line. With accented syllables on offbeats, the rhythm feels off stability. The irregular march concludes with a comically haphazard cadence.
Starting with witty neoclassical banter initiated by the trombone, the second motion (Laudamus te) is a jubilant dance. Meter modifications and irregular phrases give the textual content a breathless, giddy high quality.
Transferring to B minor, the third motion (Domine Deus, Rex caelestis) is a serene meditation. The solo soprano is heard for the primary time. Tinged with melancholy, a musical dialog emerges among the many the soprano, refrain, and the instrumental voices of the orchestra.
Marked “very full of life and joyful,” the temporary fourth motion (Domine Fili unigenite) returns to G main jubilance.
The fifth motion (Domine Deus, Agnus Dei) is shadowy and haunting. It begins in distant B-flat minor, with a dissonance, punctuated by the bassoon. A mysterious dialogue unfolds between the soprano and refrain. At occasions, the solo soprano traces drift right into a world of transcendence and childlike innocence. These fleeting visions are interrupted and introduced again to earth.
The ultimate motion (Qui sedes advert dexteram Patris) begins with declamatory a cappella homophonic statements by the refrain, interspersed with echoes of the primary motion’s opening flourish. Full of shimmering colours, the ultimate moments are marked “with extraordinary calm.” B minor and G main chords, representing the work’s principal keys, are heard concurrently. The opening flourish returns for one closing outburst earlier than the ultimate tones fade right into a dreamy pandiatonic haze.
Poulenc’s Gloria was commissioned by by the Koussevitsky Basis in honor of Sergei Koussevitzky (music director of the Boston Symphony) and his spouse, Natalia. The premiere on January 21, 1961 was carried out by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Refrain Professional Musica, and soprano Adele Addison, with Charles Munch conducting.
This 2019 efficiency options soprano Lauren Michelle and the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France and Choir, led by Mikko Franck:
Right here is the textual content, with translation:
I. Gloria in excelsis Deo
Et in terra pax hominibus bonæ voluntatis.
Glory to God within the highest
And on earth peace, goodwill to all individuals.II. Laudamus te, Benedicimus te, Adoramus te, Glorificamus te.
Gratias agimus tibi Propter magnam gloriam tuam.
We reward you, We bless you, We worship you, We glorify you.
We give due to you on your nice gloryIII. Domine Deus, Rex cælestis, Deus Pater omnipotens.
Lord God, heavenly King, Almighty Father.IV. Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe.
Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ.V. Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris, Rex Celestis
Deus Qui tollis peccata mundi, Miserere nobis; suscipe deprecationem nostram.
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, King in Heaven
Who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us. Obtain our prayers.VI. Qui sedes advert dexteram Patris, miserere nobis.
Quoniam tu solus Sanctus, Tu solus Dominus, Tu solus Altissimus.
Jesu Christe, Cum Sancto Spiritu in gloria Dei Patris. Amen.
You who sit on the proper hand of the Father, have mercy on us.
Solely you might be holy, solely you might be Lord. Solely you might be most excessive.
Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit within the glory of God the Father. Amen.
5 Nice Recordings
Featured Picture: Christ Church Lutheran in Minneapolis (1940) designed by Eliel Saarinen, {photograph} by Wing Ho
